AN: As always, not mine.
Sorry for the delay - I've switched computers (I am now in love with my MacBook)
Knowing better, finally, then to barge into Hermione's flat, Sirius rang the bell
Knowing better, finally, then to barge into Hermione's flat, Sirius rang the bell. It took several minutes before the door was opened. A strong sense of déjà vu struck Sirius as an exceptionally disheveled Hermione pulled the door open.
Before she could say anything, Hermione was nearly doubled over with a fit of coughing. Unfortunately that slight congestion that preceded her evening nap developed into a full blown cold.
"Hermione, here, please let me come in so you aren't standing in this draft," Sirius said.
She simply swung the door open further and found her favorite spot on the sofa. As her cloak was still in a heap, she simply pulled it over her like a blanket. With a brief, "Accio," she was able to supply herself with her tissues. Sirius observed all this, compiled it with the information from Harry, and came to a few conclusions.
"Hermione, I know you are going to object, but quite frankly you are in no condition to argue with me. So, you have two options, you can pack your things or I can. You are going to stay with me until you overcome this cold." Sirius in his blunt manner was trying to be a caring friend. His genuine concern overcame any discomfort from the previous weeks.
Hermione stared up at Sirius. As he stood, still with his cloak on she was amazed by how aristocratic he could look.
"What is dat?" she said.
Sirius chuckled. "Well, this is for you. As I was lucky to have something in my pocket that was required for entry, I thought this time I had better bring a payment for any new tolls. I seem to remember you have a bit of a preference for these."
He handed her the small package. She was astounded; the Muggle candy he gave her was indeed her absolute favorite. She rarely ate them and even less frequently mentioned them. As she opened one of the Mozart Kugln she asked, "How did you remember?"
"I remember when you were trying to explain both who Mozart was and what the word 'kugln' means to Ron," Sirius smirked remembering the frustrated state Hermione was left in as Ron still clung to his preference for chocolate frogs.
Hermione shook her head at the memory. "Thank you."
"Hermione, you are coming to stay with me. The only person who is potentially a worse patient then you is Harry. You can't stay here by yourself because I know you are only going to get worse, not take care of yourself, and then shut yourself off from all of us."
Not having the energy to argue at this point as the coughing was becoming more pronounced, Hermione just flopped over further onto the sofa. Her theory was that if she was pathetic enough and immobile enough perhaps Sirius would simply leave her be. Alas, it takes more than a pitiable state to deter a Marauder.
"Very well, I know better than to root through a woman's drawers," Sirius winked, "so off we go and I'll have Ginny or Luna collect some things for you tomorrow." He scooped Hermione up and in a moment they were in his living room.
Taking her up the stairs she was so groggy she barely registered where they were and where she was being taken. Instead of the room she and Ginny shared those years ago, Sirius took her to a larger room. Laying her in the bed he put several warm blankets over her. With a few words and flicks of his wand he had tissues, tea, water, and some Muggle throat lozenges. Much like the Muggles, Wizards had not found a solution for the common cold.
Hermione blinked a few times at Sirius, seemingly in thanks before she promptly fell asleep. Sirius pulled the drapes shut and descended the stairs to arrange a few things for the morning.
When Hermione awoke she was wracked by coughing. She curled into a small ball as she groaned in discomfort. A light knock came from her door. It was at this point she acknowledged her surroundings. She finally remembered the events from the preceding night. She attempted to invite the person knocking in; however her voice was far from obliging.
A low croak came from her mouth followed by another groan. Sirius heard none of this but decided to brave any wrath and enter uninvited. He found Hermione still curled up and looking absolutely awful. She looked up at him and attempted to speak.
"Morning," she managed to get out with her voice deep and hoarse.
"Well, I would ask how you feel, but I can gather enough to know that is a foolish question. Why don't you drink this?" he said as he set a tray on the bedside table and handed her a mug of tea.
The warm beverage helped her throat enough that she could say a few words.
"You didn't need to do all of this, you know," Hermione spoke softly.
"I know I didn't need to, but I wanted to. You, my dear girl, are far too stubborn. You need to be taken care of on occasion just like the rest of us. It just so happens that your unfortunate luck leaves you in my care," Sirius said with a smirk.
Hermione started to laugh at this, but the laugh quickly turned into the wracking cough. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts," she moaned.
Sirius felt horrible as he watched Hermione. He sat down next to her and slowly rubbed her back in circles as the coughs subsided. He handed her the tea to help her. Once she was quiet and breathing normally again Sirius spoke.
"Hermione, I'm going to have one of the girls gather some things for you. What would you like to keep yourself entertained? The entire Black library is at your disposal as is the extensive Muggle DVD collection I've created. I can be your errand boy so if there is anything you need you are not to move a muscle. So what shall it be?" Sirius asked.
"I honestly don't even feel like I could move," Hermione croaked.
"I believe that we proved last night that will not keep you from being relocated. But given your state, I shall not provoke you…yet." Sirius winked again. "Why don't I gather some films and you can watch movies for a while? That way if you are tired you can doze off again."
Hermione nodded approval as her throat was giving her great discomfort. Sirius headed off to collect the items. He returned in a few moments with one arm full of Muggle films and his wand assisting a television's transportation. Arranging the television so Hermione could see it well from her bed he turned back to her.
She had shut her eyes after a particularly nasty bout of coughing. He thought how small she looked at the moment. He knew how strong she was and her fierce bravery, but at this moment he was reminded that for all of her well deserved reputation as a hero, she was still just a normal witch.
Hermione opened her eyes to find Sirius looking at her. She could not read the expression in his eyes. Deciding the look was a bit uncomfortable, she asked, "What movies do you have?" She then held her throat as the effort of speaking hurt.
"No more talking. Drink your tea and choose from these. As you and Harry are responsible for most of these movies, I think you'll find something you want to watch," Sirius handed her the selection of films. Hermione drew out a film she knew she had picked out as she doubted either Harry or Sirius had ever watched it. She handed the case to Sirius to put into the DVD player.
"This must be one you picked out," Sirius echoed Hermione's thoughts. He put the film into the player. Skipping to the start of the film, the opening music began and the title crossed the screen. Sirius did not want to infringe on Hermione's space. Why he thought this after he forcibly carried her off from her flat to his home, is beyond anyone's guess. However, he did realize she might not wish for his company.
"I'll leave you be then," Sirius said softly.
Hermione glanced from the screen to Sirius. She managed one, hoarse word, "Stay."
Sirius began to walk over to the one chair in the room. It was about as far from Hermione as possible. In her pitiful state, she simply looked at Sirius and motioned with one arm. Sirius accepted and brought the chair next to the bed.
Hermione curled on her side, facing the film and Sirius. The romantic comedy was punctuated with coughs from Hermione. After one of the awful episodes, Sirius helped to calm Hermione by stroking her head. He pulled his fingers through her hair. Neither fully processed this and neither objected to the comfort it offered both.
"Oh dear, she really needs to listen to my warnings. I knew those little Dragglerats would find her," Luna muttered. Like Hermione, she held additional roles outside of Hogwarts. She had a peculiar place in the Ministry serving as a liason to various odd magical creatures and as an expert in potions. For all that people wanted to dismiss her for her oddities, she was a brilliant young woman and the most recent in a long line of powerful witches. "I had best see whether Ginny wants to take care of this. This shall certainly be an interesting holiday season."
Tossing some Floo power in, Luna arrived at the Potter home. "Ginny, you here?"
Luna, being one of the few able to either Floo or Apparate into the Potter home at will, began to look for her friend. She found Ginny attempting to coax some pureed substance into her daughter's mouth. The charming Lily was finding it much more entertaining to swat the spoon away towards her mother.
"Would you like me to try?" Luna offered. She loved Lily and had a surprising knack with the girl.
"Gladly!" Ginny said. "Now I know you had said you were going to be at the Ministry today. Why are you here at this hour? Ron alright?"
"Yes, he's fine. He's at work. The problem is this," Luna handed Ginny the parchment and took the small spoon from her friend.
Ginny looked up once she read the short missive. "Why is it that she does exactly what you want yet will be so determined to make my life so…messy?" Ginny asked as she gexstured at the variety of items Lily had thrown back at her mother already that morning.
"It is merely that I am a novelty. I'll make sure she finishes while we determine what it is htat this letter means," Luna wisely stated.
"thought it would be far more expedient if we forced her to wear Sirius' pajamas or shirts," here Ginny gave Luna a devious look, "Hermione will eventually be well and would make our lives miserable. I suppose we will just have to go and pack some clothes for her."
"Yes, but we do get to choose what clothes and in what quantities. In addition we can offer every encouragement that she stay where she is for the duration of the holidays. You know how sick she gets after running herself down. Between the hospital wing, transfiguration classes, her lectures, and her need to take care of all of us, she doesn't ever take time to care for herself. And it seems she has finally met someone who can force her to let him care for her."
"Quite right, Luna. And the question is whether he will learn to care for her on a permanent basis…"Ginny said.
"I think the real question is whether Hermione will finally let her guard down."
"Too true."
As it was, Ginny took the opportunity to have her willing friend watch her beloved daughter. Ginny went to Hermione's and packed a small bag of what she deemed to be necessities. Of course this included the crucial items such as pajamas, comfortable clothes to wear as she felt better, and various toiletries. Some of the items Ginny deemed necessary, Hermione would later be quite frustrated with upon discovering. However, as Ginny thought to put the books from Hermione's nightstand in the bag, forgiveness was not too far.
Ginny did not have too much time to spare, so when she arrived at Sirius' and no one answered her call she left the bag with a charm. Returning home she had no juicy bits of gossip for Luna who had managed to get Lily down for a nap.