Alright- I had some concerns for the last chapter. I was wondering if I should bump up the rating to M, but my friend/occasional beta said it was a fine T. Do you agree?
On the other hand, here is Chapter 12! A little angst, but not much. Count yourselves lucky- I was prepared to create a dramatic conflict spanning several chapters, but I restrained myself.
Enjoy, and review!
June 19, 1996
Number 12, Grimmauld Place
Sirius' Bedroom
Sirius knew it was morning- he could feel the warmth of sunlight on his naked back. It was too early. He snuggled closer to the warmth pressed to his front. His face was tickled by a cloud of curls, smelling of his soap and her own scent, and faint impression of smoke and spell fire. Without opening his eyes, he assessed his position. Legs intertwined with Hermione's, Both arms holding her very naked body.
He yawned, stroking the soft skin of her stomach, and letting his hand drift up her ribcage. He could feel a small dip between every rib- she really did need to eat more. He opened his eyes, finally, blinking slowly as he tried to breathe without getting a mouthful of hair.
"Good morning, love," he whispered, kissing the skin of her neck and sucking lightly. "Are you awake?"
She rolled over, pressing their chests together as she stretched and yawned. He groaned quietly. "I am now," she said sleepily, yawning again. "Morning, Sirius."
Her large brown eyes gazed up at him, and he couldn't resist kissing her. He meant for it to be a peck; instead, she surged up to meet his lips, twining her arms around his neck and holding him to her hungrily. He tried to pull away after a moment longer, but she deepened the kiss.
June 19, 1996
Number 12, Grimmauld Place
Kitchen
"Nice to see that you're alright, Hermione," Remus said quietly, looking up from his paper. "We were a bit concerned after last night." The assuaged worry in his face made Hermione smile softly.
"Thank you, Remus," she said, sitting down slowly. "How exactly am I going to get back to Hogwarts now?" She schooled her face to hide her wince.
With a jerk of his head, Remus indicated a wooden spoon. "Dumbledore dropped this off about an hour ago. It'll activate when you touch it. He says you must be back by ten, and to go to the Hospital Wing."
"It's only nine, love," Sirius said, checking the clock above the stove. "You have time to eat." He sat protectively close to her, one arm around her waist while the other was used to shovel food in his mouth. Hermione smiled gently, shaking her head. Even when eating like a pig, Sirius used his manners- there was a napkin on his lap and his one hand was holding his fork perfectly.
Remus hesitated for a moment, then held out the paper for Sirius to look at. When the other Marauder moved to take it, the werewolf held up a hand. "Wait a moment," he said. "I'm going to warn you. This is going to be a shock. Swallow before you read, Sirius."
He did as ordered, swallowing his eggs before taking the paper. Hermione felt him shudder, then bury his face in her shoulder. The headline read: "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Returns! Sirius Black Innocent!"
June 19, 1996
Number 12, Grimmauld Place
Kitchen
At quarter to ten, Hermione, Remus, and Sirius all stood in the kitchen. Sirius glanced at the Portkey, then at Hermione. "Do you think I could come with you, poppet? I do want to see Harry."
Hermione shrugged. Sirius had yet to let go of her hand, and she wanted it to stay that way. "I'm fine with it. Remus, did Dumbledore say anything to the contrary?"
The former Marauder smirked. "Nope," he said, popping the 'p.' "Not one word."
"And you're Harry's legal guardian," Hermione pointed out. "Which means that if he's in the Hospital Wing, you have a right to see him."
"That settles it then," Sirius said happily, pulling Hermione after him as they approached the Portkey. "See ya later, Remus!"
With that, the two of them reached out to the Portkey with their intertwined hands, jerking at the magical hook in their navels as they spun out of the kitchen.
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hospital Wing
The occupants of the infirmary were already awake, and being subjected to the brusque, yet caring, expertise of a worried Madam Pomfrey. Harry was swallowing his potions meekly, quite familiar with the routine of patient and practitioner from his various escapades over the years. Ginny looked tired, but fine, and Luna was sitting cross legged on her bed swirling her potion around in her cup dreamily. Ron, on the other hand, was sitting up precariously, arms firmly across his chest as he refused the vial Madam Pomfrey was ordering him to take.
"Tell me where Hermione is!" Ron was insisting, pale face set in his mulish glare.
Madam Pomfrey had her hands set on her hips, glaring right back. "Mr. Weasley, you will take your potions or I will give them to you through a tube!"
When Sirius and Hermione walked calmly into the Infirmary, hand in hand, quiet fell on the ward. Poppy was the first person to speak, thrusting the pale blue liquid at Ron. "There she is, Mr. Weasley. Drink up." She promptly crossed the Infirmary to Hermione, patting the girl's arm. "You had all of us dreadfully worried, Miss Granger. The Headmaster instructed me to do my check-up when you returned."
Sirius pouted at the Matron. "What about me, Poppy? Don't I get a hello?"
"You are a wanted fugitive," Madam Pomfrey retorted, frowning at him. "I thought you were on the run?"
Grinning widely, Sirius offered her the rolled up paper he had taken with him. "As of today, I'm pardoned. I expect Minister Fudge will be inviting me to the Ministry shortly to shake my hand, give me a certificate, and pose for plenty of pictures."
The medi-witch smiled at him gently. "That's wonderful, Sirius."
"Thanks," the tall man said, lifting his free hand to brush the hair back from his face. "How's my godson?"
"Fine," Harry called from his bed. "Did I hear you correctly, Sirius?" The joy leaked out of the teenaged wizard, lighting his face with hope and happiness. Hermione narrowed her eyes- something was off with Harry. It seemed as if he had aged a few years, as if he had gained some kind of important and terrible knowledge that meant nothing would ever be the same ever again."
Sirius and Hermione made their way to Harry's bedside, hands still linked. Neville was staring at them with wide eyes, hands darting between Hermione's face and the hand within Sirius'. "Yep," said Sirius happily. "Which means if I have a say, the only reason you'll stop at Petunia's house will be collect anything you might want to keep."
Harry grinned back at his godfather, then frowned slightly. "Dumbledore told me that I need to stay at my aunt and uncle's to recharge the blood protections or something like that." Poppy patted Sirius on the back, then disappeared into her office- presumably to look for more potions.
"We'll deal with that when it comes," Sirius reassured him, a dark look flashing across his face. His gaze flickered to Luna and then to Neville, who he stared at for a moment.
Neville returned the gaze somewhat timidly, but with much better heart than he would have done even a weak ago. "You're Sirius Black," Neville said warily.
"I am," Sirius agreed. "I knew your parents. Alice and Lily were best friends and Frank-" Sirius stopped for a moment. "He helped me study for my Auror exams. Very bright, your father. Very brave. I saw you fighting- he would have been proud."
Shocked, Neville nodded slowly. "How well did you know them?" he asked suddenly, looking Sirius in the eye for the first time, confidence growing.
Considering the question, Sirius smirked. "Your mother and I dated for about two weeks," he said, sending the boy a roguish grin when he blushed. "To make your father jealous, of course. It worked. He punched me in the jaw. After that we were friends of course- I might still have some of the old letters they sent me. I'll see if I can dig them up for you."
"Thanks," Neville replied automatically, still red.
Luna turned her unfocused gaze on Sirius. "You're much nicer than I thought you would be, Stubby," she said lazily, playing with a lock of her hair. "And I thought you would have a potbelly."
Taken aback, Sirius looked down at Hermione. "She's always like that, love," Hermione whispered. "No, Luna," she said louder. "I'm afraid your father was slightly off on this one. This is Sirius Black- almost everything was true."
Ginny caught Luna's eye. "I'll explain it later, Luna," the redheaded witch promised.
"Okay," Luna said, yawning. "Congratulations, Hermione."
Ron had been waiting quietly, growing redder and redder as the conversation progressed. When Sirius sat down on the end of Harry's bed, pulling Hermione on to his lap, he finally spoke. "Anyone want to explain what, exactly, is going on here?"
Hermione leaned into her fiancée, fighting the urge to wince. "What do you want me to explain, Ron?" She kept her voice calm- fooling everyone but Sirius who could feel how hard she was squeezing his hand.
"Well, I don't know," Ron said sarcastically. "Let's start out when you freaked out when Harry told us that Sirius was being tortured and started screaming about him being your lover."
Sirius glanced down at Hermione, who flushed slightly. "I would have liked to see that," he teased, poking her in the side. "Lover." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Neville blanch a bit. The Marauder's grin widened.
"Shut up," she hissed, pinching him through his robes. He yelped, and fell silent. "Ron- Sirius and I-" She stopped, unsure of how to continue. "We-"
Remembering how the boy had tried to ask Hermione out after treating her so badly, Sirius decided to be harsh about it. "We're together. A couple. We're going to get married." He couldn't help the ecstatic grin that spread across his face. Saying it out loud made it more real.
Ginny squealed, clapping her hands. "Hermione! Show me your hand! What kind of ring did he get you?" The fourth year was almost bouncing in her bed with excitement; however, her face fell when she saw Hermione's unadorned left hand.
"Sorry, Ginny," Sirius said, the smile turning apologetic. "It was kind of spur of the moment. No ring on me."
"Nothing on you," Hermione murmured under her breath, for Sirius' ears only. He bit down a laugh.
Ron's head was turning from his sister to Sirius. "You knew about this, Ginny?" he exclaimed, eyebrows just about disappearing into his fringe. "What?"
"Calm down, Ron," Ginny ordered. "Remus knows too. Hermione's seventeen, so it doesn't matter. She's an adult, she can make her own choices."
Luna smiled dreamily. "That makes sense, Hermione. I saw you in three different places one day. The nargles told me it had something to do with time."
"Then they were right, Luna," answered Hermione, trying not to either burst into laughter or correct the girl. "But anyway, Sirius and I are together now. And we're planning on staying that way for a long, long time." The last comment was directed Rom's way.
Apparently, Ron was still trying to work out the timeline in his head. "So that's why you wouldn't go to Hogsmeade with me!" he half-shouted, drawing Madam Pomfrey from the storeroom.
"Mr. Weasley, you will keep your voice down!" the matron shouted back, poking her head out to glare at him. "Sirius Black, I don't care if you're marrying Morgana herself, there is no need to explain it in my Hospital Wing!" She emerged fully, toting an array of potions. "And you need to release Miss Granger- I need to check her over."
Ron, looking quite weak, fell onto his pillows with a huff. Sirius nodded at the nurse. "Yes, Poppy," he called back. "I need to go speak with the Headmaster anyway." He lifted his hand to the curve of Hermione's jaw, turning her face and tilting it up gently to kiss her quickly. "I'll be back in a while, poppet," he told her quietly.
"No problem," Hermione reassured him, standing up. "I'll leave it to you to break the news to our esteemed Headmaster."
Sirius shrugged. "Fine by me. If I'm not back in two hours, come after me."
"Of course, love," Hermione told him, letting go of his hand. "Go."
He obeyed her, stopping only to ask Poppy for the copy of the Prophet. He morphed into his Animagus form, the large black dog holding the newspaper gingerly in his jaws as he loped from the room.
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hospital Wing
"Right over here, Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey instructed, holding aside the curtain so Hermione could step into the small, partitioned off area. It was the normal 'room' for the Hospital Wing- a white bed, and a thick curtain for privacy.
Hermione sat on the bed, yawning. "How exactly does this happen?" she asked, yawning again.
Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "I've forgotten. You've been unconscious every other time this has happened. Just take off your robe, dear. You can leave the uniform.
The woman did as asked, unbuttoning her robe swiftly and folding it quickly before laying it on the bed. "Now what?"
"Just a regular health scan," said the matron comfortingly. She smiled absentmindedly as she waved her wand in a sweeping motion over Hermione's body. Various colors sprang up, a fascinating array that was intriguing to the curious young witch.
Hermione stared down in amazement. "What do all these mean?" she asked, voice holding more than a bit of awe.
The formidable nurse looked at Hermione, a hint of a grin on her face. "This is a complete medical history- everything injury, medication, and the status of every organ in your body. For example, the broken wrist of about… I'd say nine years ago?"
"I fell off my bike," Hermione confirmed with a nod. "What else?"
Poppy poked at a ugly yellow-green haze with her wand, a slight frown appearing on her face. "Cruciatus curse. Last night, if I'm guessing correctly."
The sickly light pulsed. "Yes," Hermione said simply. "Bellatrix Lestrange."
"And you didn't come to the Hospital Wing right away?" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed. "I could have given you a Dreamless Sleep potion to put you to sleep while the tremors were still in effect."
Hermione hesitated, then flushed slightly. "There are better cures for the Cruciatus," replied Hermione, facing the matron's eyes firmly. "I couldn't have had those in the Hospital Wing."
It took Poppy Pomfrey a few moments to grasp what she meant. When she did, the nurse nodded sharply. "Ah. That raises another set of questions. Are you on any contraceptives?"
"Sirius suspects he's sterile," Hermione answered quietly. "But every week we were together I did the spell. Every sixth day, just in case."
Madam Pomfrey poked at a pink blotch of light around Hermione's midsection. "As I can see. No worries there, Miss Granger. If you like I can provide you with the potion for the summer."
"That would be lovely," Hermione agreed, smiling gratefully. "I'll stop by before the break and pick it up. It is good for six months, correct?"
"Correct. Other than the few bumps and bruises, you're fine, Miss Granger. However, you do need to eat more. Exams are no reason to worry yourself half to death." She clucked her tongue once sharply. "Alright- you are free to go join your friends again. Take these two potions- one is a slight muscle relaxant that will relieve some of the worse after affects, and the other is general health- vitamins and such."
Hermione accepted both, downing them with a shudder. "Anything else?"
Poppy shook her head. "No. Now I'm sure Mr. Weasley wants to talk with you- he's been badgering me all morning."
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster's Office
"He's my godson, Dumbledore!" Sirius roared, hands firmly planted on the Headmaster's desk. "And those goddamned Muggles treat him little better than a servant! Hermione told me how they fed him through a cat flap. Weasley and his brothers had to pull bars off his window to rescue him."
Dumbledore regarded the furious man calmly, if a tad wearily. "Sirius. It is for the good of-"
"No." Sirius interrupted. "He'll be safe in Grimmauld Place. And I was planning on buying another house now that I'm a free man, but we can put that on hold until after the war if the Black Family protections are that valuable."
The Headmaster steepled his fingers, then sighed tiredly. "We cannot make this decision now, Sirius. The events of last night are far reaching. The general populace is panicking, and the Ministry is in complete chaos. We can discuss this later." The Headmaster's tone was final, and the look he shot the Marauder made it clear that avenue of conversation was closed.
Sirius sighed as well, slumping into a chair. "When do you think I can go out and get my official pardon?"
"I'd wait until the end of the week," Dumbledore replied, glancing at his watch. "But why hurry?"
Because I want to be able to prove to the world that I'm not who everyone thinks I am. "I need to go shopping." He smirked openly- that was sure to blindside the old bastard.
Dumbledore looked at him incredulously. "For?"
Sirius got up and stalked to the door. "An engagement ring," he informed the Headmaster. "I proposed to Hermione Granger last night."
He exited the Headmaster's Office, leaving behind a thoroughly befuddled Headmaster.
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hospital Wing
When Hermione rejoined her classmates, Ginny was explaining the truth of Sirius Black's arrest and subsequent escape from Azkaban to Luna and Neville, as Ron and Harry argued furiously in heated whispers. With a sinking feeling, Hermione made for Harry's bed to join in their conversation.
"She has every right to be with Sirius!"
"He's ancient!"
"So?"
"That's wrong!"
"Why? He loves her, she loves him."
"He's using her!"
"He head over heels in love with her!"
"He's a perverted old man!"
"He is not. I love Sirius more than I have ever loved anyone. At this point, I don't care whether or not he loves me. I just want to be with him for the rest of my life." Hermione fixed Ron in her hard gaze, daring him to interrupt her. "But he does love me. He tells me every day, and when we are together he shows me in the most incredible ways. I love him. I'm going to marry him, provided we get out of this war alive."
From where she was sprawled across Luna's bed, Ginny beamed at Hermione. "That was the most romantic thing I've ever heard you say!"
Ginny's comment broke the tension. Laughing, Hermione shook her head. "Well, I've had to repeat myself pretty often. Sirius kissed me in front of what looked like the entire Order last night."
The redheaded girl's jaw dropped. "In front of my mum too?"
Hermione winced. "Yes."
"I'm sorry," apologized Ginny. "Really. She wasn't…"
Hermione shrugged. "She'll have to either get over it, or find out she's not welcome at Headquarters." The matter-of-fact way she said it and the fierce gleam in her eye reassured her fellow Gryffindors that what she said was true. (Yes, Luna was a Ravenclaw. But Hermione was pretty sure she wasn't even paying attention to the conversation- the blonde girl was currently staring up at the ceiling with a small frown on her face as her lips moved silently.)
"I didn't think Sirius would take a slight to you casually," Harry remarked to break the sudden silence. "You've seen them together, Ron- he loves her. And he knows that if he hurt Hermione, I wouldn't stand for it."
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hospital Wing
Sirius stopped at the closed curtain in time to hear what Harry said. The thought shocked him- and pleased him. That his godson would put anyone over him was a sad, ego-deflating thought- and yet, the idea that it was Hermione made all the difference. He would choose Hermione over himself- the thought of putting his body between hers and a Killing Curse wasn't a question of if- it was a question of how.
His heart filled with warm and fuzzy feelings, he continued to where the six teenagers were debating the issue of whether or not he loved Hermione.
"Well put, Harry," he said to announce himself, immediately making his way to Hermione. She was in contrast to the rest of the pajama clad school children- she was dressed in clothes she had scavenged from his room- a pair of loose jeans and an old, faded tee-shirt featuring a Muggle band. Remus had bought him that tee-shirt for his twentieth birthday- and had, apparently, packed it away in a box when he was going through Sirius' belongings after the Marauder had been sent to Azkaban. He liked seeing Hermione wear his clothes- she had neglected to put her robe back on after her exam, so he could see exactly how good it looked on her.
Her hair was a mess- they had gone straight from the bath to the bed (with a brief detour at the wall before he had noticed how badly Hermione was shivering) without a stop to comb it out. It was a riotous mess around her small face- a riotous mess that smelled like his shampoo. He liked that too, he mused, as he drew her to his side.
"How were things with the Headmaster, Sirius?" she asked him, raw hope in her eyes.
He shook his head, a flare of anger rising again. "He danced around the issue, as usual. Said he was too tired and we'd talk about it later."
Out of the corner of her eyes, Hermione saw Harry flinch slightly. That was when she knew- something had happened in the Headmaster's Office the night before, when Dumbledore had given Harry a Portkey and sent him away with something a bit more than casual.
"So no new on whether or not I have to go to the Dursleys?" Harry asked, a hint of resignation in his voice.
Sirius shook his head, going to sit at the foot of Harry's bed. "Sorry, kiddo. I'll try, though."
Hermione edged closer to the bed, standing close to Sirius. "What have I told you about referring to Harry and Ron as kids?" she asked sternly under her breath.
"Sorry, love," he replied, cringing a bit. "Right. They cannot be considered children because you're in the same year as them and they're your best friends and that would be weird and creepy."
She leaned down to kiss the top of his head. "Correct, darling." It felt so strange to be so openly affectionate around other people- so deliciously wrong. Romantic affection had been taboo for so long, it was something akin to therapeutic relief.
It seemed the Sirius was feeling the same way too- he gave her a disarming grin and pulled her down into his lap. She squeaked, then laughed, leaning her head against the curve of his neck and shoulder. "Give me some warning, love. Next time you surprise me like that I might just hit you in the nose or something."
"I thought you liked my nose," Sirius exclaimed, mock upset. "It's very aristocratic, you know. It's that pureblooded Black nose." He lifted it up in the air, drawing another laugh from Hermione and amused giggles from Ginny.
Hermione reached up to kiss his nose. "It's a very fine nose," she said solemnly. "So don't surprise me. I would hate to see anything happen to it." That elicited more giggles from the girls, and a laugh from Harry.
"Stop!" Ron yelled suddenly, glaring at the both of them. Hermione paused mid-smile, face frozen. Sirius wrapped his arms around her, subconsciously trying to shield her from the redhead's wrath. "Just stop!" He looked at all of them. "Don't you see how weird this is? It's as if Luna started dating Lupin! Snape went to school with Harry's dad- how would you feel if Hermione started seeing him?"
"Uncalled for, Weasley," Sirius growled, feeling Hermione turn her face into his chest. "That's-"
"Wrong," Ron finished for him, sitting up triumphantly in his bed. "It's wrong. He's too old and too creepy for her. See my point? It makes my skin crawl to see her climbing all over you and flirting with you."
The full impact of the boy's speech hit Sirius full in the face. The thought of Snape with Hermione made his skin crawl too- revulsion was the main theme to all his thoughts in that moment. The girl sitting on his lap suddenly seemed terribly, terribly young- too young. But more importantly, he felt old. Too old.
Still in a daze, he nudged Hermione off his lap, rising to his feet in a smooth, fluid motion. He shot the boy in the bed a look of pure hatred- Sirius Black was not a man used to doubting himself. Hermione looked up at him questioningly, and he wanted nothing more than to reassure her.
"I need to get back to Grimmauld Place," he muttered. He was unable to resist bending down to press a kiss to the top her head, before stalking out of the back of the Hospital Wing.
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hospital Wing
Hermione watched Sirius leave, confused and a little hurt. The line of his back was harsh and angry- she was worried about him when he got in a mood as black as his current one.
The slam of the door the Hospital Wing made her wince, caught by Ginny and Harry if not by Ron. Conflicting emotions warred within her- the happiness of know she was engaged to the man she loved more than the world, the fear of even eventually getting married, furious anger directed toward Ron, worry for Sirius, and the overwhelming self-hatred that accompanies bring old insecurities to light.
That look Sirius had on his face when Ron had spat out those hateful words- Hermione knew what it was. The dawning realization that he was old and she was young and they could never be together. She had felt it before- when he and Remus were laughing over some seventies joke that she didn't get, or when she could hear his joints pop when he stretched in their bed those precious winter mornings. But she usually got over it quickly- when he sent her a heated glance across the room that made her stomach flutter and her cheeks turn red, or when he sleepily nuzzled at her neck and threw a heavy arm across her body to stop her from leaving their warm sanctuary.
She was hardly thinking when she brought her hand down on Ron's face with as much force as she could muster. The sharp crack of hand hitting flesh and the flush of heat in her palm made her subconscious decision real.
"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed, staring at her and cowering away from her and into his pillows. "What was that for?"
Hermione leaned in close, baring her teeth, fury lighting her face. "I. Love. Him. At this point, Ron, I don't care whether I've known you longer or how many times you've made me cry or anything like that. I love him more and I will choose him over you any day. You just insulted my fiancée, and right now he is probably second guessing proposing to me-" Hermione pulled away, not even sparing the boy a disgusted glance. "I need to go after him."
She turned and sprinted out of the Hospital Wing, the door shutting with another slam on her way out.
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
First Floor Corridor
"Sirius!" Hermione told her mirror firmly, heart stopping for a moment before he answered it. After the night before, Sirius knew that if he didn't pick up right away without a good reason, he would be in more trouble than he could imagine.
Troubled grey eyes appeared in the mirror, before he pulled it back to reveal his entire face. "Yes?" he asked, looking down at the mirror sullenly.
"Where are you?" Her tone was indicative of her resolve- unwilling to take any refusal for an answer.
Surprise flashed in his eyes, but he answered. "The corridor that the Gryffindors use to get to Great Hall."
She nodded sharply. "Good. Stay there."
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hospital Wing
"You absolute prat!" Ginny was whisper-shouting at her brother, brown eyes promising death and destruction. "Tell me something, brother dear. How has Hermione's general mood been over the past few months?"
Ron, cringing away from the onslaught, answered hesitantly. "She's been stressed because of exams."
"Not that you dolt!" hissed Ginny, smacking him over the head. "That spell from yesterday must still be in effect." Neville had his head buried firmly in his book, the two ears that peaked above the covers bright red. Luna was dozing quietly in her bed, curled up in a ball. Neither of them seemed likely to join the conversation anytime soon.
Turning his emerald gaze on Ron, Harry answered Ginny for his best friend. "She's been miserable," he told Ron, voice quiet. "She misses him terribly."
"Exactly, Harry," Ginny said, her angry glare emphasizing her words. "So now she's happy. Do you care to guess why, Ron?"
Slowly, Ron formulated his answer. "Because… of Sirius?"
Ginny clapped twice sarcastically. "Finally. You got it. So if you were stupid enough to fuck up the one thing that matters more to her than just about anything else, I will kill you myself."
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Corridor leading to the Great Hall
Hermione stalked toward Sirius, mind firmly made up. What was a surer way to prove that she didn't care what anyone thought?
"What-" was all he got out before she was pushing him against the wall.
"I love you, Sirius Black," she said fiercely, tilting her head up to look him right in the eye. "I don't care that you're thirty-six, because quite frankly, you act seventeen more often than I do. So it's really a question of if you are going to care about what people are going to say."
His grey eyes darkened, and he leaned against the wall. "The idea of you and Snape-"
"Codswallop," Hermione interrupted, taking another step so that their bodies were pressed together. "You are the only older man in my life that I would want to be with." With that, she reached up as far as she was able to kiss him, winding her fingers in his hair to pull his head down to hers.
She took control of the kiss, invading his mouth and attacking it ruthlessly. Understandably, Sirius was completely shocked- usually, he was the one who acted randy and started attacking her mouth. Pleased beyond all belief, he enthusiastically returned the kiss, arms slipping around her waist and dropping down to cup her bum.
When it became too much, Hermione pulled away, breathing hard. "Do you get it now?" she asked, hanging on to his neck. He was so tall, she was straining on her tip-toes, with only her arms hooked around his neck keeping him bent down. To him, she looked unbelievably sexy, lips red and slightly open.
"Hell yeah," he answered with a wide grin. He dove right back in, taking her mouth harshly before turning them around, so she was the one pressed against the wall. She bit his lip in retaliation, and he bit her back. She pulled away, kissing down his jaw, nipping at his throat.
He started to bend down to do the same for her, then pulled away abruptly, scowling. "Screw that," he grunted, lifting her from the ground to gain better access to her mouth and throat.
"Not in the corridor, dear," Hermione quipped, wrapping her legs around him. "Although- oh gods, Sirius!"
June 19, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Corridor
"It was all over the papers this morning," Lavender Brown was saying in a very serious voice to her best friend, Parvati Patil. "Harry Potter and five friends." They had a free period before lunch, and were going to the Great Hall early so they could count who wasn't there.
Parvati nodded, eyes darting about the corridor. "So that obviously includes Ron and Hermione. But who are the others?"
Lavender had ticked two people down on her fingers. "Ginny Weasley wasn't in her dorm this morning. And then Dean said that it was only him and Seamus last night-"
"Gay?" Parvati asked, smirking slightly. "What do you think?"
"Totally," Lavender agreed. "Anyway, so Neville and maybe Ginny. But no other Gryffindors were gone."
Parvati raised a hand. "Wait- my sister said a fourth year was missing from the dorms at the bed check last night- she went to Professor Flitwick and he said there was a slight emergency but he would take care of it."
"Fourth year Ravenclaw…" Lavender mused, tapping a finger against her pointy chin. "Looney Lovegood, maybe?"
The two girls turned the corner, only to stop in their tracks. It wasn't often you saw couples blatantly snogging in the corridors- however, the rarity increased exponentially when one half of the couple was Hermione Granger. It was especially shocking to see that Hermione was pressed up against the wall by a very tall male body, with her jean-clad legs wrapped around his waist.
The couple didn't seem to notice the two girls- Lavender and Parvati looked at each other wide-eyed, then back at the lovers. They made a strangely erotic scene- Hermione with her head tilted back, eyes half shut as the unknown man sucked at her neck.
Lavender raised both eyebrows at her friend, then cleared her throat. Moments later, two wands were pointed her direction. She squeaked, both at the wands and at the identity of the man. Sirius Black- the wanted convict of their third year, and the reason they had been allotted Dementors to patrol the school.
Hermione was turning a bright shade of red as she unhooked her legs from around Sirius' hips and slid to the floor, unconsciously trying to half-hide behind her fiancée. "Sorry, Lavender. I'm still a bit jumpy after-" She glanced up at Sirius guiltily.
"We heard about everything this morning in the paper," Parvati assured her. "How Harry and five other friends broke into the Department of Mysteries-"
Sirius smirked at Hermione. "Shut up," she muttered. "Yeah- it was us. Did you read the part about Sirius' pardon?"
Lavender nodded weakly. "Uh… yeah. So he- uh, you- never did any of the things they told us you did?" It was unusual for the blonde girl to stammer, but faced with Sirius Black, it seemed a better option than fainted. Merlin this man is hot, was pretty much all that was going through her head.
"Depends what they were talking about, darling," Sirius teased with a roguish wink.
Hermione sighed, glancing up at Sirius exasperatedly. "No, Sirius isn't a criminal. He's innocent. And um-"
"Your mystery boyfriend?" Parvati finished, pretty Indian face acquiring a devious smirk. "Rich, hot, bad boy. And he's an older man. Lucky girl."
Hermione's blush deepened. "Depends what you call lucky," she muttered. "What time is it?"
"Got a little carried away there, did we, Hermione," teased Lavender. "Just before lunch." She winked at her dorm mate, tugging a ribbon. "Parvati and I actually need to get to the Great Hall. You might want to find somewhere else to-"
"We were just going," Parvati interrupted. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Black." With that, she dragged Parvati away.
Leaning against the wall, Sirius watched them leave. "I need to go, poppet," he said regretfully, trying to pat his hair down into some semblance of order. Hermione was doing the same with her clothes- she had given up on her hair.
"I know," Hermione answered with a sigh. "Reassured? Not angry anymore?"
"Not angry anymore," he agreed, standing properly and sauntering over to her, pulling her to him with a grasp low on her hips. "I need to go home, take a cold shower, and sleep for a while more."
He leaned down and kissed her gently. "What about you?"
"I'm not sure," she admitted, eyes closing of their own accord. "But lunch seems like a good idea. Call me tonight on the mirrors?"
He kissed her again. "Of course."
So tell me what you think, as always. And whether you think the rating is appropriate. I don't want to be corrupting anyone's children.
Other news: New story! Two chapters, already finished and published. Melancholy is a Draco/Hermione fanfic, with a little bit of snogging at the end- but nothing smutty and no romance. Please read and review- it was a birthday present for the lovely . My dear francophones, please go read her stories. Other new story! One-shot- someone referred to it as tragic Harmony, and I like that therm. Life on the Closed Ward is the title.
Should be at least a few more chapters- I'm not sure to carry it through the end of the books or just cut it off at sixth year.
School has started again, so I'm going to be crazy busy with the IB DP programme. Wish me luck! And I'm learning how to drive. Which is wreaking havoc on my nerves and peace of mind.
Please review- I love this story. I want to know if you love it too. Every review is very appreciated. (I'm kind of sad that my H/Hr story has the same number of chapters and more reviews.)