Beauty and the Beast
Chapter 13 – So This Is Love

It didn't take long for Molly to realize what had happened between Hermione and Sirius and the matron's joy was nothing short of jubilation. To be fair, it wasn't hard to figure out after she caught them sharing a kiss in the hall but she was brimming with happiness for them. It also came as little surprise when she announced everyone was coming for dinner again and she had a special meal planned. She announced this during lunch and promptly left to begin preparing for it. "Can't remember proposing," Sirius remarked quietly.

Hermione giggled, "Well if you did, I didn't say yes."

"We'll see about that," Sirius winked.

"Aren't you supposed to court me first Lord Black?"

"In due time." Sirius promised. "Let's just enjoy this before my darling friends descend."

"You love them," Hermione dismissed. "Anyway we still have toni– tomorrow to ourselves."

"True," Sirius let the slip pass and they finished their lunch peacefully. Hermione returned to her new lab and Sirius decided to take a walk in the garden. It occurred to him how little he really did during the day, preferring to stay shut up in his room. But now that he and Hermione were together, he would rather not to waste what precious time he did have with her before sunset. Obviously he didn't want to take her away from her work so when she was busy, he'd have to keep himself occupied somehow. Wandering through the garden he realised all the repairs that needed to be made; the fountain was in a state, the gazebo had been overrun with ivy and was probably rotting, and the pathways themselves were cracked. Not to mention inside he still had those rooms that still needed to be cleared out. He didn't particularly feel like dealing with dark objects at the moment and since the weather was good, he'd start out here.

In the Solarium, Hermione cursed under her breath as her potion boiled over for the fifth time. She Vanished the failed concoction and braced her workstation. Why wasn't it working? Of all the ones she'd come up with, she'd determined this recipe to be the safest and still most effective for Sirius to take. In theory it should work but the potion just would not stabilise. She consulted the recipe again, all the ingredients were balanced and measured appropriately. For some reason, she could hear her grandfather in her head crooning one of those rhymes he used to say to her while working.

In the cauldron boiling bright, the essence of the morning light

Boomslang skin and griffin claw, aconite and a dash of maw

Must all be brewed for a fortnight's draw

Nightshade with a rueful hand, goes quite well with dragon sand

Jewelweed and rose oil have a ball

But Death-Cap literally tops them all

It made her wish that he was here, to work with her, to keep her level-headed, to meet Sirius. She sighed wistfully, she knew the two would have got on and probably he would've been able to figure out how to cure Sirius properly. All she could do was hope that one day, they would be reunited and she'd have her family back. Suddenly there was a pronounced grunt from outside and Hermione peeked out an open window. Sirius had abandoned his cloak and was in the garden dragging a statue, grumbling as if it'd insulted him personally. Hermione smiled, she missed her grandfather but she had a good life here and Sirius made it all the better.

At dinnertime, Hermione took extra care in making herself presentable yet comfortable looking. She chose a rich purple gown with tight sleeves and bodice. There was glittering black beadwork sewn into the fabric that made up for her lack of jewelry and she left her hair down. She went out and was surprised to find Sirius waiting for her at the cross-chamber. "Milady," he offered her his arm.

"Such a gentleman," Hermione took it and they began heading down.

"You look beautiful love," Sirius murmured.

"Thank you, I hope your friends approve."

Sirius rolled his eyes, "They approved of you the minute you came here. Case in point -" They had reached the stairs and just like before the rest of the guests had congregated at the bottom. At Sirius and Hermione's approach, they all turned to grin widely at the pair and Hermione resisted burying her face in Sirius's side.

They made it down the stairs and James came up to clap his friend on the back, "So…was this also in your vested interest?"

Remus chimed in, "Oh come off it James, he's just getting to know the person he's let into his home."

Behind him Tonks gave a snort, "Right, that's hardly unreasonable."

Sirius growled and Hermione rubbed his arm. "Darling," she cooed with sugary sweetness earning a few snickers. "I need to talk to Professor Dumbledore, I trust you're in safe hands." Sirius's jaw dropped in utter betrayal and Hermione moved away quickly. The phrase 'match made in Heaven' floated back to her and she smiled.

As was Professor Dumbledore, eyes twinkling as he said, "How may I help you Ms. Granger?"

"Can we speak privately?" Albus nodded and they went off to the side a little. Hermione didn't bother with preamble, "I was wondering how my grandfather is doing and if you had any news about the Death Eaters coming after us."

Dumbledore shook his head, "I'm afraid we haven't had much progress on the Death Eater situation. Things have been quiet thus far but that is not something to be taken for granted, until we are absolutely sure otherwise we must assume they are still targeting you. Your grandfather is fine, he's been asking for you and we told him that you'd been taken to a safe house and that you were perfectly well."

"I don't suppose we can see each other…" Hermione trailed off already knowing the answer.

"Not at this time," Albus said gravely.

"I understand," Hermione accepted.

"Until then, I think Sirius may need your assistance," Dumbledore suggested and Hermione turned to see Sirius, James, and Remus all conversely to general amusement. Whatever was being said was causing Sirius to glare daggers at her.

She with nod to Albus, she returned to his side, "Having fun?"

"Like a cat in a bath," Sirius groused. "Everything okay?" he added in an undertone.

"Fine," Hermione assured him.

Just then the doors opened and closed with resounding bangs and the crowd parted to reveal a figure cloaked in all black with lank hair and a sallow face. He strode purposefully in and Sirius was glowering, "What's he doing here?"

"I invited him Sirius, we have some business to discuss," Dumbledore stepped in and Sirius shut his mouth with a snap. The sallow man's mouth curled into a smirk and Hermione got the immediate impression that they did not get on…at all.

"Well let's eat," Molly attempted to diffuse the situation and ushered everyone into the dining hall. Hermione observed the newcomer who sat next to Dumbledore and whispered to him in between small mouthfuls of food.

"Who is he?" she whispered to Harry.

"Severus Snape," Harry told her in hushed tones. "He works for our side but no one knows what he does. No one."

"Sirius doesn't seem fond of him," Hermione remarked.

"Neither is my dad or Uncle Remus but Dumbledore trusts him so they don't say anything," Harry shrugged. "Of course you can ask Sirius later," he tacked on with a wink.

Hermione didn't respond but caught Sirius's eye and mouthed 'Are you okay?' He nodded then pointedly looked at Snape with an eye roll. Hermione quirked an eyebrow and glanced between James and Remus but Sirius just shrugged. Snape caught the exchange and spoke aloud for the first time, "Ah yes, I had almost forgotten that Black has found love at last. Should I offer my congratulations or would it be in bad taste considering?"

"Snape…" Sirius growled.

"Now, now," Snape continued with a drawl. "I completely approve, in fact I'm happy to put a name to the face." He turned to Hermione, "I worked with your grandfather some time ago, he spoke highly of your abilities."

"You brew?"

"Indeed, my mother was Eileen Prince -"

Hermione gasped softly, "THE Eileen Prince?! I love her work. Her article on new ingredient use and brewing techniques was amazing."

To everyone else's collective shock, Snape's face softened into something that could be considered a genuine smile. "She'll be glad to hear that someone from the Grangers thinks so highly of her. She once butted heads with your grandfather years ago."

"I know, he called her creativity inspiring but he wasn't keen on her suggestions on where to stick a bezoar." Snape and Hermione laughed and by this point, the rest of the group were absolutely floored. Sirius in particular was considering putting Hermione up for canonization. It did sting him a little that Hermione was bonding with Snape of all people and it didn't help when she said, "You know, I'm currently brewing potion that I've been having trouble stabilising. I should be glad for some input." Snape agreed, AGREED to help. She could've come to him instead of that slime ball. Sirius sourly toyed with the food on his plate and his friends noticed.

James leaned towards him, "Mate it's nothing."

"I can brew," he said petulantly.

"Yes you can," Remus chimed in. "But if she can make Snape act like a human for once, I say let her have at it."

"Fine," Sirius pouted. The rest of the meal passed with surprising ease and for Hermione and Sirius, it all felt right.

A/N: Hey guys, I was going to take this further but it started to get too long. The next chapter will be up soon. Until next time, ENJOY! R&R PLZ!