Beauty and the Beast
Chapter 12 – First Love

"Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around…Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life." – Bob Marley

Hermione did not hesitate to put her lab to use. She gathered all her materials and notes and began the process of sorting them into actual potion recipes and preparing to actual brew. It was work that thankfully kept her mind occupied because the moment it wasn't, it went straight back to Sirius and that letter she'd left. Whatever hope she had about leaving it there was now screaming in anxiety. She most definitely crossed a line, betrayed Sirius's trust. Besides what was she really expecting? He didn't care about her. Plus in her attempt to be subtle, she came off as vague. He wouldn't understand what she was trying to say or else, think she was stupid. She tried to console herself that at least she made the effort but the cold counsel of her brain said that she had made a colossal mistake instead. So she shut it up by making it focus on measuring quantities of aconite and ground beetle eyes.

She was at her new desk going through some notes, so doggedly engrossed that she missed the knock at the door. She didn't even notice Sirius entering the Solarium until he cleared his throat from little ways behind her. Hermione jumped and when she saw it was him, hid the most incriminating papers under her notebook as she stood. "Sirius," she said in high-pitched surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here dear Hermione," Sirius quipped. "I also wanted to talk to you about this." He held up her letter.

"Right about that," Hermione swallowed. "Sirius -"

"Hermione -"

"Go ahead," Hermione invited.

"I don't really know what to say," Sirius admitted heavily. "You know and probably understand to some degree that I don't let people in."

"I don't think that's entirely true," she disagreed. "I think you let people in but only so far, like an outer layer covering yourself. That's where you want me to stay as well but I told you, I'm already in."

"And like I said that day, I know," Sirius let out a long breathe. "I tried so hard to push you back out Hermione."

One corner of the girl's mouth lifted, "I know."

"No you don't." His great head shook and trembled. "You have no idea how much I've been trying to protect you from me. I have nothing to offer you love, just this old monster that can barely use a wand. Your life would be over and I couldn't bear it. I gave you this," he gestured around the room. "With the last shred of humanity I have but this is less than one-tenth of how I feel about you, how much I…care."

Hermione gazed about the Solarium with fresh eyes, what it really meant and tears began to form. She took a step closer, "I can't imagine what this last week has been like for you but I can tell you for me, it was miserable. More than miserable. I missed you. I sent the letter so that we could be together again – I mean," she blushed. "I wanted us to talk like before and…oh you get it."

Sirius chuckled, "I do. I missed you too."

"So are we friends or…"

"Probably more than friends."

"I like that," Hermione said quietly.

"So do I," Sirius rumbled and pulled her closed. Hermione let her eyes close at the feeling of being enveloped in that warm fur and soft fabric from his cloak. She felt his head dipped into her neck, "I'm still scared love. What this will mean for you. I'm no good to anyone, especially during the day."

"But at night," Hermione reminded him. "You seem to be able to do the amazing. Obviously I don't want you to turn nocturnal but we could work together, just for a couple of hours if you really wanted to."

"Hermione," Sirius pulled back to look at her very seriously. "Whatever happens, wherever this goes, you can't see me at night."

Hermione's brow furrowed, "Why not?"

"You can't see the difference," Sirius waved the letter. "When you look at me, you don't see who I was before the curse. You only see this Sirius, and this Sirius is really the only one that matters. What I become at night, it isn't me, not truly. It feels like a sick joke every time I see my reflection. This is old monster is the real Sirius and you've found it in your heart to actually give a damn about him. I can't stand the thought of losing that to a ghost."

Hermione frowned, "Just because I saw you at night, doesn't mean I'd care any less during the day but perhaps I'll convince you of that with time. For now, alright Sirius I won't see you at night."

"Thank you love," he knew that was the best he could hope for with this headstrong witch. Suddenly an idea occurred to him, "Did you know I actually had first kiss in this room?"

Hermione laughed at the subject change, "Did you really?"

"Thirteen, high society party," Sirius shrugged offhandedly.

"Was it any good?"

"I suppose it was alright even though by my standards back then it was the greatest thing to have ever happened," Sirius joked. "I bet it would have been better with you."

"Not to brag but it probably would," Hermione grinned. "Care to find out?"

Regarding the woman in front of him, Sirius's demeanour shifted. "Hold still," he murmured as he held in her face. Hermione bit her lip but kept herself steady while he slowly moved in. Her eyes slid shut just a moment before their lips touched. It was different from kissing a human with the velvety feel of Sirius's muzzle and his paws sliding down to hold her waist but it still felt amazing. Hermione pressed herself against him and a low rumble escaped from Sirius. He bent down and picked his love up, intent on carrying her to a nearest study. There wasn't much he could do but now that he had her, he was never letting go.

A/N: Hey guys, sorry folks no smuttiness. I don't think it fit with the story and the way I've written the characters but there's plenty of story left. Until next time, ENJOY! R&R PLZ!