THE VEIL

Chapter 10

28 March 1978 - His Pride and Joy

Hermione drifted through the grey, with the whispering for company. She was beyond the need to shed tears. She had shed so many already. He had clung to her so tightly but still it was as if he was holding sand in the wind, she almost still felt the embrace, the lips on hers, his body against hers. She opened her eyes and all she saw was grey. It was mercurial and ever changing, light over dark and dark over light. It was shapeless and distinct. She sighed, eyes open or closed, there was no grey anymore; all she saw was a grey eyed man with charcoal lashes, and wavy black hair.

The afternoon light poured through the open garage door. Sirius wiped the grease from his hands with a spare rag, looking at his pride and joy. It was a black 1959 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle, four speed, with a leather seat. It was like any other muggle motorcycle but with a few magical tweaks he just finished adding and fine-tuned. He'd seen it in a muggle newspaper and had been doing anything and everything to save up for it. His friends and the Potters had pitched in, and bought it as a surprise. Marlene and Lily even went out and bought him his own black leather jacket, as well as custom number plates. Not only had that, his uncle Alphard, the only Black in his family that didn't want to kill him, given him an early inheritance when he came of age, helping him buy his own place. He now had a place to call home in the form of a small terrace house with a lockup garage in Coventry. He had the place set up to the floo network, to make it faster for his friends to visit, and vice versa.

For the first time in his life he felt like everything was finally coming his way. He was going to be starting his last term in Hogwarts. He'd even lined up a job at a muggle mechanic for when he finished. There was only one thing that was missing. Of all the things he got on his birthday she was the only thing that disappeared too soon from him yet again. She also happened to now be standing in the doorway between the garage and the house.

Sirius reached her in four steps. He picked her up kissing her deeply. Hermione wrapped her legs around him and he carried her into the house. They made it to the kitchen and Sirius sat her on the counter, running his hands through her hair.
"You were supposed to stay." He groaned as Hermione pulled his shirt off him, tossing it aside. He kissed her again, his hands moved down her blouse. Grabbing the fabric he ripped it, buttons flying everywhere. Shedding the ruined shirt he pulled her close, trailing kisses from her jawline to her ear.
"You were supposed to stay, Hermione." He whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"Please tell me you will stay?" He kissed a scorching path from earlobe down her neck nipping her gently as he went.
"Yes!" She gasped. He pulled away looking at her flushed face, her eyes like molten chocolate.
"You will?" Surprise was evident in his voice; written all over his face. Hermione, chest heaving shocked he stopped so suddenly, she growled "Yes! Goddammit Sirius! Now shut up and kiss me."
Sirius grinned and moved in capturing her mouth with his both scrambling to remove the rest of their clothing.

They had made it as far as the lounge room. They'd broken Sirius's dining table somewhere along the way. Their clothes were strewn through the lower level of the house. Both were stretched out on the rug, in front of the fire. Sirius had his head resting on one hand, the other hand drawing lazy circles on her skin, the leather bracelet on his wrist tickling her skin. Hermione lay mirrored to him tracing the tattoos he'd gotten in the time between when he saw her last. Both occasionally looked into each other's eyes, smiles pulling at their lips, chatting quietly about things that she had missed and what his plans were when he finished Hogwarts.

"I've changed my mind." Sirius said softly, caressing her skin, watching goose bumps form, "This is definitely the best outfit to date." He grinned devilishly at her. Hermione's cheeks tinged pink, a small smile forming on her lips. Sirius bent and kissed her softly. Behind them the fire flashed green, as someone was flooing through.

"Shit!" Sirius muttered as he quickly grabbed the cushions off the couch as they scrambled to sitting positions. Remus's head appeared in the fire eyes widening seeing Sirius with a pillow over him and a cushion barely covering Hermione.
"Good evening Padfoot, Hermione." He grinned at them. Hermione's face had gone bright red, her blush creeping down her neck.
"What do you want Moony?" he growled, slightly annoyed.
"We were wondering what was keeping you," His grin broadened, "I'll let them know you'll be a bit late?"
Sirius nodded, "yeah we will be there soon."

Remus turned to Hermione, he winked at her, still smirking "Lovely to see you again Hermione." His head disappeared before either could respond. Hermione groaned covering her head in embarrassment. Sirius got up and grabbed his jacket, "Come on Princess. Put this on in case one of the others gets an idea to try and peek."
Hermione looked up at him horrified, "They wouldn't!"
Sirius laughed, "I love my friends, but yes, they would be that depraved." He held the jacket out for her to put on. It was definitely long enough to cover her. Sirius took her hand and led her upstairs, sharing the hot shower together.

When they emerged and Hermione, wrapped in a towel, went downstairs looking for her discarded clothing as Sirius strutted to the bedroom to find clean clothes. She picked up the shredded blouse and the skirt similarly torn scrunching her nose at the damage, she could only find one sock and her underwear was nowhere to be found. Growling, she stomped back up the stairs.
"Sirius Black, you have ruined my clothes!" She yelled at him, throwing the clothes ineffectually at him. He grinned his devilish grin, causing Hermione's heartbeat to skip, as he reached down and pulled a retail clothing bag out from his wardrobe. He dropped the bag onto the bed for her.

"I had a feeling you would need a new change of clothes Princess." He walked over and kissed her again he pulled away and her eyes narrowed at him, "You had a feeling that you would be destroying my clothes?" she asked exasperatedly, as he walked to the door.
"Princess, it's been a regular fantasy since you last went away." He smirked at her, shutting the door as she spluttered, blushing furiously.

Hermione took a deep breath to calm her and opened up the bag, tipping the contents onto the bed. Inside was a pair of jeans, a red blouse with spaghetti straps and a cropped black leather jacket, as well as knee high black leather boots. There was also a small brown parcel, she opened it and found red lingerie and a note.

To Hermione,

Sirius asked me to get you some clothes.

I figured you would probably need new underwear as well.

Look forward to seeing you again!

From Lily

Hermione silently thanked the red head for her taste, making a mental note when she saw her again how she knew, got dressed, using her wand to slightly adjust the size of the clothes, though they fit almost perfectly, even if the jeans were practically skin tight. Fixing her hair she looked quickly in the mirror at the whole ensemble. Lily definitely had style.

Sirius had finished tidying the dining room and walked into the lounge room as Hermione came down the stairs. He couldn't stop staring. Hermione watched him, her cheeks dimpling into a smirk at the affect she had on him.
"Cat got your tongue Mr Black?" She asked saucily.
"I think – I think we should go. Before I decide to carry you back upstairs to remove all – that" Sirius stuttered. Breathing hard, he turned before he would fall for the temptation walked back through the kitchen into the garage. Hermione followed him through, her smirk quickly shifting to a look of fear; stopping at the doorway watching Sirius get on the bike and backed it out of the garage.

"We- we are not going on that!" she panicked. She suddenly remembered when Sirius from her time reminisced about the motorcycle he had in his youth. His flying motorcycle. Hermione swallowed hard.
"Come on princess," He coaxed "This is safer than a broom, I swear." He curled his finger, beckoning her over. Reluctantly she walked over to him. He helped her get on behind him and he pulled out his wand to shut the garage door. Hermione slid her wand into one of her boots, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She jumped as he started the engine, the motorcycle roaring to life. She could not wait to learn to apparate. Anything was better than flying, be it broom, beast or bike.

They took off weaving through the late afternoon traffic, making their way towards the highway. She was just getting used to the sensation, when he flicked a gear and the motorcycle surged forwards, and upwards. She squeezed him so tight he could barely breathe as they ascended. When they leveled off her grip loosened slightly but remained iron tight around him. They rode through the air as the afternoon faded to evening. The sun setting behind them, lighting up the clouds around them in blazes of colour.

"We'll be landing soon!" Sirius shouted over his shoulder to her and he felt her grip tighten again. He shifted gears, and the bike tipped forward descending rapidly towards the ground. Hermione could not help but scream. Sirius pulled up as the ground rushed towards them bumping slightly pulling into the front yard of the Potters.

Hermione was trembling like a leaf, her hands like ice as Sirius helped her from the motorcycle. He gathered her in his arms rubbing her back, whispering soothing sweet nothings in her hair. The front door opened, James and Remus striding up to greet them.
"About damn time! We thought we'd need a search party," James exclaimed, wrapping an arm around them both. Feeling Hermione shaking he frowned at Sirius, "What did you do to her?"
Remus who was inspecting the motorcycle snorted as Sirius answered, "Apparently my Princess does not like flying."

Behind them Lily and Marlene walked out, looking for the boys.
"Hermione!" Lily greeted her warmly, shoving James and Sirius off her to give her a hug.
"Gosh, you're trembling! Let's get you inside with a hot cup of tea," she said kindly, guiding Hermione back into the house.
"Nice to see you too Evans!" Sirius shouted after her. He was rewarded with a rude gesture as they disappeared into the house.

"Sirius, this is a hot ride!" Marlene looked over the bike appreciatively, standing next to Remus, arm casually over his shoulder, who snorted again, "Not the only one he's ridden today either." He smirked at his friend, earning a slap on the back of the head by Marlene.
"What?" He asked scandalised. Marlene shook her head at him, "You are all class Remy."

Turning to James; "Where's Wormtail? I thought he'd be here for sure." Sirius asked.
"He sent an owl saying his mother was sick again. Didn't want to leave her." James explained, as they walked back towards the house.

Mr and Mrs Potter greeted him warmly, as James got them all butterbeers, settling together in the lounge, the boys talking about the bike.
"James, darling we are going to head out now!" Mrs Potter called to her son.
"We are going to go see the Prewett's, and will be back later. Try not to get up to too much trouble OK. See you later dears." The others waved them good-bye, as they walked out the front door apparating away with a loud crack.

James settled in next to Sirius on the couch nudging his best friends shoulder, "So, Hermione…"
Sirius grinned, sipping his butterbeer, "yeah, we broke the dining table, somewhere between hello, and how are you"
Remus sprayed his drink as James choked on his. The girls had sat on the floor, gossiping, stopped and looked up, Sirius still grinning winked at them as the other two were gasping for air.
"You broke the table!" Remus gasped.
On the floor Hermione's face went bright red, groaning into her drink. Marlene rolled her eyes, muttering "Boys, no decorum whatsoever."

As they continued to chat, evening fell into full darkness. The boys had disappeared into the kitchen in search of snacks and stronger drinks. Lily disappeared up the stairs and brought down James's record player putting on some music. Marlene dragged Hermione up to dance with her and Lily.
"Damn." Sirius breathed as he walked back in watching the girls dance carefree in the lounge, laughing, enjoying the moment.

For the first time since she fell through the veil, Hermione felt truly happy. Lily and Marlene were kind and accepting, instantly including her, forming a strong bond that her heart swelled at the easy acceptance with the group. It was unlike anything she had experienced in her own past. The boys, James, Remus and Peter, had also accepted her, knowing their secret. And Sirius, despite all the cruelty of his childhood, had a wonderful group of friends, accepting his emotional outbursts, was loving, kind hearted and could not keep his eyes off the curly brown haired witch.

It was very late and all of them were a little tipsy. They had all ended up on the floor, talking and joking. James, suddenly remembering something turned to Hermione, "I've been meaning to ask you, Hermione, who is Harry?"
Hermione spluttered looking at James wide eyed. "He's, a friend. Why do you ask?"
James smiled, "You have accidentally called me that a couple of times now." He took a sip of his drink, eyeing her over the bottle "I thought I must have a doppelgänger that is called Harry."
Hermione smiled weakly, "Something like that."

"If you and Lily have a baby you should call him Harry! That would be absolutely fabulous!" Marlene grinned, watching as Lily blushed, and James splutter.
"Wait you have a friend. A guy friend called Harry?" Sirius asked bristling. Lily, who was on his other side, laughed, "Sirius, don't tell me you are you jealous?"
"I'm not jealous." He grumbled, causing the others to snicker and chuckle.

"Oh Sirius, you have it bad." Marlene smirked at him.
Sirius stood up suddenly and growled, "I need some air." He stormed out the back door, leaving the other's to chuckle, though Hermione's eyes followed him as he disappeared.

No one commented when stood and followed a short time later. She found him at the bottom of the garden, leaning on the brick wall staring out into the darkness. A leaf crunched under her foot, alerting him to her presence, he turned. She stepped forward slowly, "You shouldn't be jealous, you know." She stepped into his arms, leaning in to him slightly. He enveloped her in a hug, inhaling the scent of her hair.

"Harry has a closeted crush on one of my friends. He has a thing for red heads." She explained.
Sirius chuckled, "Like James then."

Sirius sighed heavily, combing his fingers through her hair. Caressing her cheek he tilted her head, his gaze molten, and penetrating; meeting her lips with his, kissed her deeply. When he pulled away Hermione was left breathless. From the house they heard the back door bang open.
Remus's voice bellowed "SIRIUS! JAMES NEEDS YOU NOW!" His voice was panicked and urgent.

Sirius kissed her briefly on the forehead, letting her go began jogging back up to the house. Hermione began to follow. Sirius skidded to a stop as a whispering snaked past him, he watched as Hermione, running towards him, but not getting closer, was swept back and away.

"SIRIUS!" Remus shouted at him again. Sirius looked at the darkness for a second more, then turned and ran into the house. Standing in the lounge was Alistair Moody, Head Auror. Marlene and Lily sat on the floor holding each other crying. Remus was pale. James as soon as he saw his best friend broke down. Mr and Mrs Potter were dead.