Hermione's POV

"Miss Granger? Miss Granger!" A heavy thump landed on Hermione's desk, causing her to blink up at Professor Vector.

"I'm sorry, Professor," she muttered, red-faced.

"This is not some silly Divination class, Mrs. Black; I will have your full attention."

"Yes ma'am."

She struggled to stay in the present, not to be lost in memories of Sirius's flesh or their sweet kiss of farewell just the day before. A small sigh escaped her, but a giggle to her left snapped her out of it.

Ginny grinned at her and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. Hermione rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile at her knowing friend. It wasn't easy to stay focused through the last of the class, but she managed. When they were released for lunch, the girls walked together to meet their friends.

"Well that was certainly interesting," Ginny baited.

"Whatever do you mean?" She kept her gaze purposely diverted.

"What could have possibly been...enticing enough to keep you so distracted and googly-eyed from one of your favorite classes?"

"Googly-eyed? I don't know what you're talking about." But she could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks.

"Oh, it must be good. Come on, Hermione. Share with your favorite Hogwarts female."

She couldn't help the small chuckle at her only female friend's phrasing. "You know, when Ron and I dissolved, I thought I would lose all the Weasley's. I'm so glad I have you, Ginny."

"Awe, that's terribly sweet. But, not an answer to my question. I'm not so easily distracted."

Hermione sighed, "I know." They had almost reached the Great Hall before she cracked. "Sirius. Only Sirius could have me so pleasantly distracted."

Ginny whooped, ignoring the stares. "I knew it! And it's about time too, mind you."

"Ssssh, not in front of the boys."

"Fine. But tonight you tell all."

"Agreed."

Sirius POV

"Padfoot? Sirius!"

"Huh? Sorry what?" Sirius asked, blinking up at Remus from the couch.

"How long have you been sitting there, staring inside your own head?"

"No idea." He stretched his stiff muscles with a groan. "Too long."

"Well?" Remus dropped into an armchair.

"Well what?"

"How did the funeral weekend go? How is our Hermione?"

"Good. All of it good. Great."

"Great?"

"Well, not precisely all of it. She was torn up, of course. Very upset about the aunt. And her mother! That woman is a piece of work. Shades of my mother, Mooney."

"That bad?"

Sirius nodded. "I like Chuck, though. Nice fellow, loves his daughter." He lapsed into silence.

"Wait, how does that translate into a great weekend? It sounds miserable."

"Because I realized something important."

"And that would be..." Remus prompted.

"I'm in love with my wife," he said very softly. His friend blew out a long breath. "Unexpected, I know."

"Did you tell her?"

"No! Merlin, no. I don't want to scare her off. The potential's there; she likes me. I just have to be patient, let her get there on her own, like I did."

"That's wonderful, Pads. I'm happy for you."

"Me too. And it has been a very long time, indeed, since I was so pleased with my life."

"So when do you see her again?"

"Tomorrow. Back under Ministry supervision." He scowled.

"You'll figure it out." The men shared companionable silence for a while, before Remus broke it. "Dora's been insatiable. Keeps sending Teddy to her mother's so she can ravage me."

Sirius laughed. "You poor fellow. How are you surviving?"

"Laugh if you will. But when Hermione's pregnant and her hormones go wild, you'll be hiding too."

"Never."

Hermione POV

"Oh, that's so romantic," Ginny coo'd. "You should write him. Ask him to come early tomorrow so you can fool around before the session."

"No! I couldn't."

"Of course you can. He's your husband, there's nothing wrong with it."

"I know, but..."

"But nothing. You write him or I will."

"No, Ginny."

"Yes. I'll help you."

They worked for nearly an hour to get a letter finished that Ginny approved of, but Hermione wasn't too embarrassed about.

Dear Sirius,

I hope this letter finds you well. If it's not too big an inconvenience, perhaps you could arrive a little early tomorrow evening. It would please me to share a meal before later events. Harry would be happy for a visit, as well. I understand if your prior engagements prevent you from rescheduling.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

Hermione

She bit her lip as she sealed the envelope and attached it to Pigwidgeon's leg. Ginny's first draft had been little more than a brief request for his 'services'. She tried to snatch the letter back as the owl took flight.

"What have I done? What's he going to think?"

"That you want his hot body," Ginny teased. "Let's go back to bed, it's late."

Sirius POV

Sirius lay in his big lonely bed, naked, with the sheets shoved to the floor. He closed his eyes and pictured Hermione. As his hand moved lower, he remembered how she looked not three days ago. He remembered the way her body clamped down on him, and the sounds she made; he groaned his release.

He sighed loudly, relaxing onto the bed. Not long and he would be back inside that sweet body once again. Would they lose ground with the return of an audience? Gods, he hoped not.

A soft tapping caught his attention. Ron's tiny owl was at the window. He let the obnoxious bird in and took the letter addressed to him. His eyebrows rose as he read Hermione's words. Was she really inviting him for dinner? Or was she hoping for more and too much a lady to ask? He doubted it, but it did have certain possibilities.

Sirius scribbled a quick affirmative and sent Pig back to the school. Oh, it had definite possibilities. He just had to convince his wife.

A/N: Ages, yes I know. I hope this chapter pleases you. I'm working on the next one, hopefully it won't take long. Thanks for hanging in there with me guys, you're awesome!