Chapter 10:

Sirius and Harry walked a little behind Ginny and Hermione as they made their way back into the school. Harry called to the two girls, "I need to talk to Sirius a few minutes, and I'll meet you in the great hall." When the girls were out of sight he turned to his godfather. "Well how was your day alone with Hermione?"

"It was nice." Sirius gave Harry a look and they both smiled. "How was yours with Ginny?"

Too much like his godfather sometimes for his own good, Harry replied, "It was nice." He then handed the older man a bag and his change. Together they walked to Sirius' chambers so he could get a robe and then to the great hall for dinner only to find Ginny and Hermione hadn't made it yet.

In the Head Girls room, Hermione and Ginny sat on the bed talking. Ginny had told Hermione all about her day with Harry and how nice it was. She relayed how he very shyly kissed her for the first time on the way home. She then turned to her friend. "And how was the day alone with Sirius?" Hermione got this dreamy look on her face and just smiled. Ginny's mouth flew open. "Hermione Granger, you didn't…  did you?"

Hermione laughed at her friend's expression. "No, Ginny, we didn't. Not because I didn't want too. We were kissing, things got hot and heavy, hands were roaming, places were being touched that ignited the passion in both of us, but he pulled away, slowed us down. Explained that there were so many things we didn't know about each other. He told me that when we made love he wanted it to be special for both not is some hide-a-way at school, and not just animal lust. I respect and love him more for that. So we spent the day kissing, talking about lots of things wrapped in each other's arms. We danced together and read poetry from this book he gave me." Hermione held up the book and handed it to Ginny. Opening it she read the first page. In it was written, Beautiful lines for a beautiful lady. I love you, Sirius. Ginny smiled as both girls got off the bed to get ready for dinner. At the door Hermione turned to look at her friend, "I will tell you this much, that man is beautiful with his shirt off." They laughed again and made their way to dinner.

Arriving in the great hall for dinner, Ginny and Hermione made their way to the Gryffindor table. The hall didn't have many students in it, but that could be because some weren't back yet or they had eaten while there. Lots of weekends the hall was almost empty at dinner. Approaching Harry, they noticed Ron and Alyssa were sitting next to him with Sirius sitting on the other side of the table between Neville and Dean Thomas. Ginny instantly sat down by Harry and Hermione went around the table, Neville scooted over so she would be next to Sirius. When she gave him a questioning look, he smiled and said nervously. "I'm not sitting by a teacher if I don't have to, not even one as nice as Professor Black."

Hermione smiled, "It's okay Neville, I'll set by him. I know all the charms to ward off evil professors. Both laughed and the rest wondered what they were talking about. The grouped talked about their trip into Hogsmeade while Sirius and Hermione listened content with their day.

More students had arrived by the time the food was to be served. Professor Dumbledore stood and looked around. "First let me say I hope you all had a pleasurable day at Hogsmeade and those that didn't go I trust yours was just as nice. Second, Professor Black, have you decided to join the rank as student or do you think you could find your way to the staff table so we may begin?" Sirius blushed, whispered something to the others that made them laugh, stood and walked to the staff table, taking his seat next to the headmaster. Dumbledore waited until he was seated before going on. "Now, let dinner begin." The food appeared as the old wizard sat down. He leaned over to Sirius and said. "You and Miss Granger both look happy. I dare say you enjoyed your time in the Marauders Hole?" Sirius just stared at him in disbelief. "Don't look so surprised my boy. There aren't many if any secrets about this old school that I don't' know about. Your secrets are safe with me." Sirius just shook his head.

The days between that night and Halloween seemed to fly by. Each person had their own group of activities to keep them busy. Ginny and Harry, and Ron and Alyssa became closer and closer, each falling in love at their own speed. The group still hadn't completely told Alyssa about Hermione and Sirius. They didn't have explained Sirius being around, because he wasn't around every much at all. Amid teaching duties, the chores that went along with it and the lessons Dumbledore and the Order were teaching him he seemed to have no free time. Once in a while he would make time to meet Hermione in the Marauder's Hole, but those times were rare. They would steal a few minutes here or there a couple days a week and she would stop by his office once or twice a week to sneak in a kiss and hug, but they didn't have any full days together and this was getting to them both. Everyone knew that if things were this bad now they would be worse between Halloween and Christmas. Hermione and Harry missed Sirius, they missed talking to him everyday. Sure they saw him from a distance and left him notes and he left them messages, but they missed the conversations. Hermione, Harry and Sirius were about to find out just how bad it could be.

A few days after Halloween, Professor Dumbledore seemed to be preoccupied at dinner. Everyone noticed it. The students were talking about it as they ate. Sirius leaned over to the headmaster, "Grandfather? What's troubling you?" He noticed the look on his Grandmother's face when Dumbledore moved. She didn't look well. "Professor?" He said a little louder, this made the older wizard look at him. Once he had his attention Sirius whispered again, "Is Grandmother ill? Tell me what's wrong!"

Albus Dumbledore shook his head. "I can't tell you anything." He saw Sirius tense, but he went on. "At least not here, but I do need to talk to you. Meet me after dinner in my office?" Nodding Sirius tried to finish his dinner, but something told him he wasn't going to like what he was going to hear.

Sirius sat at the staff table playing with his food. What could be so upsetting to his Grandparents? He tried to think of anything he could have done wrong, but nothing came to mind. It had been just yesterday Minerva told him how proud they were of him, at the man he had become and how he was handling everything. He looked up to see Hermione and Harry watching him. Questions in their eyes, he shrugged to let them know he had no idea what was going on. He then made full eye contact with Hermione. There she sat, watching him, love shining in her eyes and at that moment she didn't care who saw it. He felt the same. Something in him told him to make sure she knew he loved her. They had a while ago made a hand signal that meant, "I love you" Sirius made the signal three time so she would be sure to know. She returned it each time.

When dinner was over, Sirius headed for Dumbledore's office. Stepping in he was greeted, by not only his Grandparents, but Mad-eye Moody, Mundungus Fletcher, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Arthur and Molly Weasley, Professor Snape and Remus. He looked around at the collection of wizards and joked, "But I must have screwed up big time to get this motley crew together."

"Sit down Sirius." Dumbledore said in a voice that bordered on demanding. He saw his grandson look like he'd been slapped and McGonagall jump a bit and laid his hand on hers. His voice mellowing some he went on. "Sirius, this is extremely vital to the harmony of the Muggle world and Wizarding worlds." He nodded and chairs were produced for everyone to sit in. "Okay now that we are all her we can begin. We are meeting here because I feel it's safer and less chance of anyone getting wind of what we are about to do. As most of you know there is grave trouble in the underworld part of the muggle world. Death, destruction and chaos, all brought on by some unknown wizards. The job of this group is to find someone to go into the muggle world and catch whoever this is and stop them." He looked around the room. He knew everyone had been briefed except the one man they needed the most, the one man in the room whom he loved the most. "Sirius this is where you come in." He saw dawning on the younger man's face. "We need you to be the one to go into the muggle world, live like one and see if you can find out who is causing all this destruction. I will tell you this will not be an easy assignment for you. You will be alone, but you are also the one we feel can handle this task. You evaded the Ministry and hide in the muggle world before. The best wizards this Order has to offer have trained you. I've watched you grow so much these last few months. This mission is extremely dangerous. We can't make you do it but you are the only one trained and with the power to succeed."

Sirius sat in his seat speechless. He didn't know what to say. He thought when he took the job teaching DADA he had left all this behind. Now he was being asked to go on one of the most dangerous missions of his life. He knew what the mob world was like, it compared to Death Eaters, but he also knew if his Grandfather was asking him to go then it was important. He stood and walked around a bit. "How much time do I have and when do I leave?" He heard every man in the room sigh in relief, but he saw the tears well up in his Grandmothers eyes as she turned away. He approached her and wrapped her in an embrace. "It will be all right." He made her look at him, "Grandmother, I'll be all right."

Grandmother?" Snape questioned.

McGonagall hugged Sirius to her again. "Yes Severus, Sirius is my Grandson."

Dumbledore stepped up beside them putting his arms around the pair and looked over at Snape, "Severus, Sirius is the son of our daughter. He is Minerva and my Grandson, but please don't let that stop the two of you from continuing to hate and torment each other." This brought a round of laughter and seemed to cut some of the tension. Dumbledore would talk to Snape later about keeping this quiet.

Again Sirius asked, "How much time do I have before I leave?"

"Tomorrow morning. Arthur, Remus and I will take you to the Muggle world." Said Mad-eye. "Once there Kingsley will help you get settled into an identity. Once this is done you will be on your own."

"What about communication with you, with Harry with…" He stopped He knew he couldn't say Hermione, but he knew his Grandfather knew.

"The only communication you can have will be through regular muggle post. It will be mailed to an address we will give you. Someone will pick it up and deliver it to the wizard you intend it to go to." Moody growled.

"To make it easier, send all your communications to Harry and friends, to me. I'll make sure they get them." Dumbledore said, letting Sirius know he knew what he was trying to ask. "Now if this meeting is over, I'd like to talk to my Grandson for a bit and he has some people he needs to talk to." He turned them to Arthur and Molly; "Would you two please stay close by, There is a private room down the hall. Molly we may need you later tonight or in the morning." Molly nodded; she knew he was talking about not only Harry, but also Hermione. The Weasley's were some of the select few who had been let in on that relationship.

Once everyone had filed out of the room, and Dumbledore was back in after talking with Snape, Sirius said. "I have to talk to Harry and Hermione. I can't leave with out telling them and I might as well have Ron and Ginny. They'll know as soon as Harry and Hermione get back to the common room."

Minerva hugged him again. "I'll go get them and bring them here." She exited the room wiping her eyes.

Once she was gone and the door was closed, "Grandfather? What are you not telling me? What should I know that no one else in this room knows?" Sirius asked. He was sure Dumbledore hadn't told him everything.

"Very perceptive." He said. "You must get that from your Grandmother. What the others don't know is we fear this is being caused by a Death Eater. I fear it is Malfoy or one of his squad. If it is, they will be hard to catch. It would be better if it were someone who didn't know you."

"Let's not get to over worried until I get there and see what it's all about." Sirius tried to sound positive. "Grandfather, I need you to promise me something."

Dumbledore could see the seriousness of what was about to be said. "Anything."

Sirius began to pace. A sure indication he was nervous and upset. He inherited this trait from Dumbledore himself. "I need you to promise me if anything happens to me out there and I don't come back… or don't come back alive, you'll take care of Harry and Hermione. I've changed things so you and Harry can get into my vault at Gringotts. The house and everything I have will transfer to Harry, but between the two of you, you have to make sure Hermione is taken care of. I have enough money put away to take care of both for the rest of their lives. Also while I'm gone, I want you to promise me that you won't let either of them be sad and you'll make sure they both know how much I love them. Promise me."

 "You have my word." Was all the old wizard said. Looking deeply into Sirius' eyes.

McGonagall walked into the Gryffindor common room, all eyes on her. "Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, Please come with me.  Ginny and Ron Weasley you come too." Not another word was spoken as they traveled down the hall up some stairs then stopped at the entrance to the Headmasters office.

Once inside the moving stairs, Ron whispered, "What do you think we did now?"

Very quietly Professor McGonagall answered. "You haven't done anything Mr. Weasley."

The stairs stopped and they stepped out. Immediately Hermione sensed something was wrong. Something she wasn't going to like. She could tell, Sirius was leaning against the desk facing them, but he wouldn't look at her. He wouldn't look at any of them. Professor Dumbledore asked them to please have a seat. He then repeated to them what he had said to Sirius a little while earlier.

Hermione stood up and slowly approached Sirius. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into him. "You're the man they want aren't you? You're going into the muggle underworld." The last part was more of a statement, said as if she were trying to wrap her brain around all that had just been said.

Sirius embraced her as tightly as he could and answered with one simple word. "Yes." As soon as the word left his mouth he felt her shudder and her knees gave out. If he hadn't been holding her so closely she would have fallen. He picked her up and sat her in the chair next to Harry. Stooping down in front of them he said. "I know this is not what either of you wanted to hear. It's not what I want, but it's what I've been trained for. I have the skills, talent and power to do this and from what I've been told, I'm the only one who can." He pushed his hair back, a tense habit he acquired, but never broke from when it was long and stringy. "I can't do this if I am worrying about you two. I need you both to be strong. Work hard and get ready for Christmas Holiday."

The next hour was more of a question and answer session. Everyone getting in what they wanted to know. Remus, Arthur and Molly were brought back into the room. Remus noticed Sirius didn't stray far from Harry and Hermione who sat beside each other on a sofa now. He saw Hermione fight to hold back tears, but she lost the battle when she heard them say he left in the morning. She was always aware of where Sirius was and at that moment he was behind her rubbing her neck. Once the questions had been answered and the room became quiet, Molly stood. "Hermione, Ginny lets go into the power room and wash our faces." Hermione went but not before stepping over to where Sirius stood and kissing him. She didn't care at this point who saw them.

When the women were out of the room, Harry and Sirius had a quiet talk in the corner. He made sure his godson knew he was loved, he made him promise to be strong, to go to Dumbledore if he needed anything at all and he made him promise to watch out for Hermione. Actually he made everyone in the room promise the last one. He made sure they all knew how much he really did love her and how important her well-being was to him. Ron sat there in complete disbelief at everything he was hearing. Just when he thought life was going to be wonderful, it was calling Sirius, his friend and Godfather and boyfriend of his two closest friends away.

The girls returned to the office, Ginny was crying into Molly's shoulder but Hermione was calmer. She walked to Sirius and held on to him as if her life depended on it. It wasn't long before Dumbledore announced, "It's getting late, very late. It's time for the children to return to their dorm rooms."

Sirius felt Hermione shake her head no and saw Harry tense. "Grandfather, isn't there a way they could stay with me tonight? I have plenty of floor space and we could conjure up some sleeping bags and mats?"

Dumbledore could see none of the wanted to be alone tonight. He could see Sirius wasn't going to let go of the woman he loved anytime soon. He knew his grandson needed the contact and the time with those he loved most.  "How about we make places on the floor for those that want to stay with you tonight in the room across from your Grandmother and mine. That way you can all be together, and maybe you can all get a little sleep. I'll go prepare it." Dumbledore, McGonagall and the Weasley's left to prepare the room.

Hermione finally let loose of Sirius and sat on the sofa with Ginny, Ron and Harry. Harry pulled her into a tight hug. "Hermione, I don't like this anymore than you do, but we can't stand in his way. It's what he's been groomed for these past few months. We knew it could come to this. We have to support him and love him. We have to let him know we will be here for him and still loving him when he gets home. I'm sure he won't be gone long."

"I don't know if I can Harry. I'm not that strong." She had begun to cry again.

Harry looked at her, he wasn't sure what she was trying to tell him, but his fear was that on top of what was going on tonight, his best friend was about to break up with his godfather and break his heart. "Hermione I don't know what you are trying to tell me. Do you want to break up with Sirius? If so I'm begging you please don't do it tonight."

Hermione felt as if she was going to be sick. Her stomach lurched. Where had Harry gotten that?  "Merlin Harry. Where did that come from? I am never going to leave Sirius. Don't you get it by now; I am crazy, madly in love with him. I just meant I'm not strong enough to go through all of this. He's my rock and he will be gone."

Ron and Ginny heard all of this and said together, "Lean on us. We'll all be there for you."

She knew they would too, but she also knew they had their own lives. "Thank you. I know you will. It will just be hard seeing you two" She looked at Harry and Ginny "and you and Alyssa and know the man I love is off somewhere helping the muggle world."

Ron moaned. He'd completely forgotten about Alyssa. "I forgot about Alyssa, What are we going to tell her. Especially when we don't come back tonight?"

"You tell her the truth." They heard come from somewhere behind them. They all turned to see Sirius standing a few feet away. "You tell her the truth. If she is to be apart of your group and a part of Ron's life you tell her. Ron you don't keep things from those you love. That's why you are all her tonight. I'm not saying announce Hermione and my relationship, but you can tell her I was going away and you needed to be with me tonight." He moved to sit on the table in front of them, taking Hermione's hand. "Grandfather will also want to keep my where a bouts as quiet as possible. He's going to tell the school I'm away on school business. So you have to make sure she will keep the truth quiet, but I think she will."

As soon as he finished, Minerva walked back into the room. "Your room is ready and it's time for the children to be in bed. I've put nightwear in their for each of them." They all stood and began to file out the door.

Sirius held onto Hermione holding her back from the others. He looked at his Grandmother pleadingly. "Give us a couple minutes, please?" She looked at him as if she were going to say no, but shook her head and closed the door.

"Finally." He said folding her into a warm and snug embrace. "I needed to be alone with you for a few minutes. I need to hold you even if for only a few minutes." She smiled at him. Before she could say anything his lips had captured hers. The kissed long and slow, tongues tasting and memorizing each cm of the others mouth. Sirius loved to kiss her. They didn't hear the door open, but Sirius saw Snape standing in the doorway when they broke apart. He turned pale and she noticed this. Hermione spun around to see who was there and her mouth dropped.

Snape sneered at both of them He was about to say something when they all heard a female voice say, "Professor Snape if you breathe a word of what you just saw, or you do anything to make Miss Granger's life harder, I'll make sure you will never bother anyone again. Do I make myself clear?"

Snape nodded at the woman standing behind him. "Black I knew you were hiding something, but I never would have guesses the two secrets I've learned tonight." He moved to exit the door, but turned around. "Both are safe with me. Good Luck Black." He was gone.

Minerva McGonagall stood where he was, "It's really time for both of you to get to bed. It's all ready."

They made their way to the room next door. Ron, Ginny and Harry were already settled into their sleeping bags. Harry was closest to the bed. There was an empty sleeping bag right next to the bed. Sirius looked at it, but Hermione shook her head and whispered, "I'm not sleeping in that. If this is your last night here, I'm sleeping with you, wrapped in your arms." 

McGonagall started to protest, but Dumbledore stepped in and stopped her. Sirius walked to where they were. He spoke loud enough that everyone could hear. "Grandmother, we are just going to sleep. Nothing else will happen. I promised we wouldn't make love until after she graduated and was ready. I just need to feel her close to me."

He smiled his impish smile and Minerva's heart melted. "Fine then, but get in that bed both of you and go to sleep."

As she closed the door, she saw Hermione and Sirius climb into the bed and snuggle together as if their bodies were made for each other. Neither one would sleep, but they lay quietly for a long time. The stillness was broken when Harry sat up, "Sirius" he murmured, "Sirius are you awake?"

"Yes."

Harry turned so he could look at his godfather. Sirius was lying on his back, with Hermione's head on his shoulder. He was rubbing her back with one hand and holding her hand with the other. He noticed she had her eyes closed, but knew she wasn't asleep. "How long do you think you'll be gone?" Harry had to ask.

Sirius turned his head to look at Harry, "I don't know, but I promise you this, I promise all of you, I'll get the job done as fast as I can and get back here." He felt Hermione shift a little closer if that was possible. He leaned in and kissed her. He felt her respond and they kissed for several minutes with Harry and the others watching. Finally everyone settled down and Sirius heard Harry, Ron and Ginny's breathing become shallow and steady like someone sleeping. He wasn't sure if Hermione was awake or not. He brushed her hair away from her face, and spent the rest of the night watching her. Once in a while she would open her eyes, they would kiss and she would close them again. Just before dawn, he kissed her again and whispered, "I love you, always remember."

The door to the room opened a few minutes later, Dumbledore stepped in, the light from the hall lit the room and everyone popped up to see who had come in. "Sirius, it's almost time. You need to say your final good-byes and come to my office. The children may come and see you off if they like." He then stepped back through the door, leaving them in darkness again.

Sirius leaned over and kissed Hermione again, then slipped out of bed. He went into the bathroom and when he returned he was dressed in a muggle suit. Hermione thought how good he looked and she would have told him if he wasn't about to leave on dangerous assignment. For now she just sat on the edge of the bed with the others. He moved to stand in front of them. "I want all of you to look out for each other. I expect some great stories when I get back." He turned to Ron and Ginny. "Ron, I think you have a good thing with Alyssa, don't blow it. Ginny, take care of Harry and keep him in line for me."

Both teens nodded. Ginny who was in tears hugged Sirius tightly and Ron shook his hand, then they exited the room. He then turned to Harry and Hermione. "I don't know what to say to either of you, except I love you. Look after each other. Grandfather and Grandmother will be there if either of you need anything."

Hermione and Harry both rushed to clinch him as close as they could. He kissed Harry on the cheek and then kissed Hermione with as much passion as he had ever kissed her. Then he turned wrapping an arm around both and headed for the Headmasters office. Once inside, Dumbledore told him they would be leaving by portkey. The others placed their hands on the book that was being used. Sirius knew it was time. He walked around the room. Hugging and kissing Molly, Harry and Minerva. He then hugged Dumbledore. Finally we embraced Hermione one last time, kissed her fervently, told her he loved her and stepped away. As he placed his hands on the book, he looked at his Grandfather, "Remember you promised." Dumbledore bowed his head slightly. Sirius looked again at Harry and winked, then his eyes met the woman he cared so much for. He smiled at her, wanting her to remember him smiling. "I'm ready." He said. Moody said the password and they were gone. Sirius was gone Hermione began to cry; Molly and Minerva both went to her.

Dumbledore bowed his head and stared at the floor. He hated sending his only grandchild into the muggle world and danger, but being the head of the order he had to do what was best. He looked up to see Ginny and Harry hugging, Ron was standing next to them rubbing Harry's shoulder. Minerva was holding on to Hermione as she let the young woman sob. "I am excusing all four of you from classes today. You have the day to be together and do what you need too. Tomorrow I will expect you to be back ready to learn." He saw them look up at him. "Sirius wanted me to keep things as normal as possible for you." He then turned to Minerva, "Will you be able to teach today or should I find someone to do it for us?"

She smiled, "My Grandson would want me to do my normal day. I'll teach. I'm sure Molly can take care of the children." Molly said she could. Once Hermione had calmed they all sat down. "Molly give them about an hour in here or in the room they slept in, by that time the other student will be out of the tower. You can take them back then. Albus and I will meet with all of you before dinner."

They arrived back in Gryffindor tower two hours later. Breakfast had been sent up, but Ron was the only one to eat. Hermione tried to force down a muffin, figuring Sirius would want her to at least try, but it made her gag. They spent the day talking. Hermione would go off by herself every now and then, but always found her way back to the group. Molly sat by herself reading or knitting, but fully aware of what the youngsters were up too. When the time came for the other students to start returning, they moved to the far corner of the room, this would afford them a little privacy. Molly moved near.

Alyssa was one of the first to arrive. She spotted the group and walked over to where they sat. She noticed Hermione and Ginny's eyes were a little red and puffy, and Harry looked awful. Ron didn't appear very happy himself. "Hi. Is something wrong?" They all looked at her. Ron reached up and took her hand pulling her down beside him in the chair. "You left last night and no one has seen you all day. You weren't in classes." She was beginning to feel left out.

Hermione was the first to speak. "It's okay. Join us and we'll try to explain what we can." Her voice was a little shaky, but she went on. "First we have to make sure you swear that anything and everything we tell you goes no further. We have to be able to trust you. We all want too and I know Ron does, but if what we tell you gets out or anyone finds out, it could be detrimental to several people."

The new girl watched. She saw the looks and knew they wanted to be open to her, but they just needed reassurance. "I swear by all I believe in you can trust me. I won't say anything to anyone. Why don't you curse me, then you will know? Not a big curse but a small one. If I'm lying may I never see Ron again."

"That's okay, we won't need to." Ginny spoke up. "We know we can trust you, besides if it gets out we'll know it's you then we'll all place big curses on you." She smiled them, but she meant every word. "As far as seeing Ron, well you are in for a ride there." Ron stuck his tongue out at his sister.

The group took turns telling Alyssa what had happened. Telling her what they could without giving details. They told her Sirius was going away for a few days and it was really hard on all of them to have him leave. They had all become very close to their DADA Professor over the years. Alyssa said she understood and hugged Ron. She saw Hermione wince whenever there were displays of affection from the other two couples. "Hermione, Professor Black is more than just a friend and Harry's godfather to you isn't he? He's the mystery man you told me about."

"Yes." She said quietly and smiled at how much like Sirius that one word answer was. "Yes, Alyssa he is. I've had feeling for him for a while, but it was just this year I had the nerve to tell him. He wasn't sure at first how he felt, but we spent time together and things developed. Now…"

"Now it's love." Harry said. " Sirius is as much in love with her as she is with him. You should see them together. Well… I mean when they can show their affection."

"I think I understand. I can see it in Hermione's eyes. Thank you for trusting me. I won't let any of you down." Alyssa said. She looked over to where Molly was sitting. "Ron, is this your mother?"

Ron stood and introduced Molly to Alyssa. She pulled up a chair and sat with the kids for a long time. Finally Hermione stood and Molly asked, "Where are you going dear? Are you all right?"

Hermione stood tall, "Yes I am all right. I'm going upstairs to wash my face. It's time to pull it together. Sirius wants us to go on as normal and I plan on honoring his wishes. Besides it won't be that long until he returns." She turned and walked up the stairs determined not to cry anymore. She had to be positive he would return to her soon.