2nd September

'Okay, I don't know what you did to Moony, but he's fucking in love with you.' Sirius grumbled as he entered Hermione's hotel on Wednesday night. It was after ten, and when Hermione looked at him - horrified by his statement - she saw the ever present dark circles below his unusually dull and red rimed grey eyes, his jaw shadowed by rough stubble, and a slump to his shoulders she didn't think she'd ever seen before.

'Er … what? Don't be ridiculous.' Hermione stammered, closing the door and locking it.

He collapsed onto the sofa, exhaling in pleasure at being horizontal. 'Maybe love isn't a strong enough word,' he said tiredly, 'it's more like hero worship. Wouldn't shut up about how bloody wonderful you are. As if I need to be told. He said you gave him a potion to help with the moon … well, that is a sure way to win him over. And I did warn you about the teacher thing.'

Hermione peered over the back of the sofa at him, he had his arm thrown across his eyes but she could see his lips hitched up in a pleased little smile through the gap made by the crook of his elbow.

'I'm glad you told him,' he said, 'about all of it, at least if this whole Horcrux lark goes belly-up you'll know you did something good. Moony's never been much of an optimist, and lately … let's just say you've found yourself a minion for l-life.' the last word was punctuated by a jaw cracking yawn.

'I'm happy too.' Hermione said, 'That I told him, not about the minion thing, I hadn't planned on giving him the recipe, but as long as it stays between us, at least until Hallowe'en, then I can't see a problem.'

Sirius yawned again and nodded.

'Sirius you look terrible, why don't you just go to bed?'

'Ouch.' he said, poking his tongue out at her, before he said, 'Because I don't want to apparate just yet, would probably fall asleep halfway through and splinch myself.'

Hermione looked at him amused, 'I meant here, idiot. I don't know why you bother to fall asleep on the sofa, when we both know you'll end up in the bed in the middle of the night. You've done it every evening for the last three weeks. I don't mind, it's a pretty big bed.'

His face was still covered by his arm but she could see the smile change to a mischievous smirk, 'Why Miss Fehr, inviting men to your bed, what would your mother say?'

'My real mother would tell me sleeping on the sofa is bad for your back,' she replied in a business-like tone. 'Frederica on the other hand … she'd probably say something along the lines of 'you have to try before you buy' if her relationship with Dagworth-Granger is any indication.'

Sirius mouth popped open in a comical 'O'. Hermione was rather pleased with her own cheekiness. 'Don't get any ideas Mr Black. It's your posture I'm concerned about.'

'Of course.' he muttered, as he rolled off the cushions and stumbled toward the bedroom.

'Sirius,' Hermione said, shaking his shoulder, 'Sirius, wake up. It's after nine.'

'So?' he said, burrowing deeper into the pillows and shrugging the bedspread higher, disappearing completely into the mounds of white feathery comfort.

'So you're late for work.'

''M not going.' she could barely understand his sleepy reply through the layers of his quilt fort.

'You have too. I know you're tired but …'

Suddenly his head popped out of the soft nest, like some sleep deprived jack-in-the-box – dark hair totally awry, falling into his eyes and poking out at odd angles and he said, 'I've got the day off,' then collapsed back onto the pillow with a heavy flump that made the headboard rattle. But his eyes were still open, she gave him a confused look. 'I may have told a wee porky,' he mumbled, 'Moody thinks we have some Horcrux stuff to do today. But honestly I just needed a day away from that place. You don't mind do you?'

'Why would I mind?' Hermione asked, 'I've been bored out of my head waiting for you to save the world.' She was pleased that he was actually going to get a break. Already the red rimming his eyes was gone, and despite being sleep muddled, he looked more alert than she had seen him for a week. 'Not long to go now.'

'Fifty nine.' he said, wriggling about, trying to right his bank of pillows and bedspread that had been disarranged when he'd moved.

'Fifty nine?'

'Days, fifty nine days til Hallowe'en.' He elaborated.

'You're counting? That's a very … er … me thing to do.'

'Yes.' he laughed softly, 'You're a terrible influence on me, and anyway I'm only counting because that's when I have to give up this insanely comfortable bed.'

'Good to know you have your priorities in order.' Hermione said, chuckling and sitting up.

'Where are you going?'

'To the loo.' she answered, still laughing. 'Is that okay with you?'

He buried his face in the pillow again and waved her away, before saying in a heavily muffled voice, 'Come back though, I feel like we haven't talked in weeks. I can hardly remember our conversations most nights, bloody Pollux and his bloody whiskey, and since you woke me up … you owe me.'

When she returned from the bathroom Sirius was snoring once more. She assumed it was him anyway. She could see nothing except the bundled mass of his duvet fortress, and a tuft of black hair spread on the pillow. Deciding that sleep was a far more appropriate use of his day off than talking rubbish with her, she showered and dressed, and when he was still dead to the word at ten o'clock she thought she would go and fetch breakfast to placate his undoubtedly annoyed reaction when he finally woke. Re-entering her room armed with croissants and real coffee half an hour later, she was surprised to find him sitting up in bed, reading.

'And where have you been?' he asked, looking sternly at her over his book as though she was a teenager getting in late after curfew. She held up the food in defence. 'Ah,' he said, 'the only excuse I would have accepted.'

'What are you reading?' Hermione asked from the doorway, more shocked than she would have admitted that he was reading at all.

He flipped the book over to look at the cover and winced. '"A Young Witch's Guide to Decorum and Suitable Conversation" apparently.' he tossed it aside as she laughed. 'To be honest,' he said, 'it was a clever ruse. I didn't want you to know I'd been lying here pining for your return.' He sighed dramatically with the back of his hand to his forehead.

Hermione snickered, 'I would point out that a ruse – no matter how clever – is nullified when you tell the subject of your rusing that it was a ruse.'

'I'll keep that in mind.' he said as he started to laugh, 'Now woman, what have you bought me for breakfast?'

Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly, 'Nothing if you're going to be like that.'

His laughter didn't falter as he said, 'I'm dreadfully sorry Madam.'

'You seem to be in a better mood this morning.' Hermione said, as she came to sit on the wide bed, folding her legs beneath her and handing him one of the coffees.

'It's a wonder what ten hours sleep can do for a bloke, mmm and coffee.' He added, after taking a sip from the take-away cup. 'I don't care what anyone says. Muggles kick-arse at coffee.'

'That they do,' Hermione agreed. 'and here,' she said, dropping his paper-bagged croissant onto his lap, 'sustenance.'

'Moony can shove off,' Sirius said as he set about devouring the food. 'I will be you're one and only dedicated follower for life.'

She smiled at his happiness. She really had missed this mad Sirius, she would be quite sad to leave him behind. She wondered what it would be like when she went back, if he would want to be her friend like this again, or if having watched her grow up would have changed his view of her. She hoped not, he would probably be married, or have children, or both. That would be strange. Or he might still be the same, the eternal bachelor, godfathering Harry and enjoying his own life.

Suddenly he snapped his fingers in front of her face, she jerked back, 'What?' she asked, blinking.

'Um, I know I'm devilishly handsome, and quite rugged this morning since I haven't had a shave in two days, but there's no need to stare. Did you even hear what I said?' He was smirking at her, that wicked glint in his eyes again.

'I wasn't staring,' Hermione huffed, 'I was thinking, you just happened to be in the way, and no, I didn't hear you, deep in thought as I was.'

'Denial.' Sirius said, shaking his head as he drained the last of his coffee. 'I said, we're going to dinner at Grimmauld on Saturday, Mother's invited Cissy and Ludicrous too – slimy git – and quite a few others as well.' He made a face and rolled his eyes, 'Can't wait.'

'Alright,' Hermione nodded, 'Only eight more weeks of this crap,' she said consolingly, 'then you never have to see them again. How's the progression with the vault going? Any chance they'll let you go alone soon?'

'I think so, but I'll still have to do that a few times.' Sirius said thoughtfully, 'I know we're cutting it pretty close but I'd rather try this way, I kind of want to get out of this without them knowing it was all a sham. I mean, it's not like I want their approval or anything.' he added hastily, when Hermione looked at him in consternation, 'But I can't help thinking how as head of the family, proper head – not estranged-come-back-for-the-money head – I could actually do some good after Voldemort is gone.'

'Good lord Sirius.' Hermione reached out and put her hand on his forehead, 'Are you okay? … you don't feel like you have a fever … shall I call the Healer?'

He laughed sheepishly and swatted her hand away. 'Shut up.'

There was a pink tinge to his cheeks and Hermione felt a little guilty for making fun of him. He was right after all; Sirius could make a difference, with the right connections and the family gold behind him, he could have a lot of influence on the Ministry.

'I think that's very admirable.' she said. 'Fix the name of Black rather than run away from it?'

He cleared his throat, still looking embarrassed. 'Something like that.' he mumbled. He leaned over the edge of the bed and snared his jacket from the night before off the carpet, digging into one of the pockets he pulled out a pouch and tossed across the bed to her.

'What's this?' she asked, opening it and looking inside – it was full of Galleons.

'Is for you to buy another dress. I won't be able to come, so you'll have to shop alone.'

'Really? I thought you didn't want me wandering about on my own?' Hermione asked confused by his overprotective mixed messages.

'Well it won't be wandering will it?' Sirius said decisively, 'Hotel, Leaky Cauldron, robe makers – back to the Leaky then here again. I guess you could owl-order one … but that seems a bit unusual. And if you go in the middle of the day, when it's really busy you should be safe. It's formal attire, so get something ridiculously fashionable.'

'Formal?' Hermione said cautiously, 'For dinner?

'Er … well, it might be more of a party,' Sirius admitted, 'it's the Autumn Gala. Mother throws it every year, first weekend of September.'

Hermione blanched, 'Gala? As in dancing and evening gowns?'

'Yes?' Sirius said in trepidation, edging away from her on the mattress. 'I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, you should still have time to find something to wear.'

Hermione goggled at him blankly for a second, before snapping, 'Something to wear? I don't give a shit what I wear Sirius, who will be there? I haven't done any research, I can't really dance either, something a Fehr would surely be able to do. Will there be any of Dagworth-Grangers extended family there? He has three great-nieces twice removed still living, what will I say to them?'

Sirius was shrinking away from her as she grew more irate.

'How long have you known about this? I've sat around doing nothing when I could have been learning about all the guests. How many people will be there? Where are they from? It's all purebloods I assume.' Hermione let out a huff of frustration. 'Sorry,' she said, 'but you could have bloody warned me.'

'I didn't think … I am sorry Hermione, but I've had a lot going on – in case you didn't notice.' he looked annoyed.

Hermione realised she may have overreacted slightly. Sirius was doing everything at the moment. 'Sorry,' she said again, more quietly this time, patting his knee though the bedspread. 'I'm so nervous about getting that stupid cup, I feel like I'm just sitting around, and then you turn up every night looking like death warmed up and I feel guilty that I can't help.'

He covered her hand with his own, 'Never mind,' he said soberly, 'Only fifty nine days to go.'

A loud tapping at the door to the balcony echoed from out in the sitting room, interrupting their pensive moment. Sirius looked at her, 'Who's that?' but he'd grabbed his wand and flung the covers back before she could answer.

'It will be Remus.' she said, following him out of the bedroom, 'He promised to bring me some more books, and we were going to make a plan to get our hands on some of the ingredients for the potion.'

Sirius's shoulders relaxed when he saw that it was indeed Remus. The werewolf on the other side of the glass looked surprised, but pleased to see Sirius there in the middle of a week day, 'Padfoot,' he said happily, 'Skiving off work are we?'

'Don't tell Moody.' Sirius said grinning.

Hermione came to the door too, 'Remus,' she asked, 'what did I rub on your face last time I saw you?'

Sirius glanced down at her, a small mocking smile on his lips, 'You really wouldn't want to take that out of context.'

She rolled her eyes as Remus answered promptly from the other side of the glass, 'Bruise Remover from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. We think alike.' he said, before asking, 'Why did I say I'd have to remember your healing skills?'

Hermione smiled, 'Because there are less forms to fill in here, than at St Mungo's.'

Sirius was laughing, 'Don't open the door Hermione! He's an imposter!' He threw his arm out in front of the glass, 'Moony loves forms, he lives for paperwork!'

Hermione ignored him, shoving him aside to let Remus in.

'Just because I don't whinge about it constantly Padfoot,' Remus said as he crossed to the table, 'doesn't mean I love doing it, some of us just put up with things'. He lifted the flap on his shoulder bag and dumped a huge pile of books on the dining table, 'Here you go Hermione, reading material as promised.'

'My hero.' Hermione said, going to look at the selection.

'So what are you doing wagging work Pads?' Remus asked, 'I didn't think Moody believed in sick days.'

'He doesn't. I told him we had Horcrux stuff to do, it's a bit naughty but hell, it was either that or snap and murder every one of those smug gits in my office. I figured I'd take the high road for once.'

Remus laughed again, 'Good for you. I've got to say mate, you look like shit, a day off was probably deserved.'

'He only just woke up.' Hermione said distractedly from behind the book mountain. 'You should go and wash up Sirius, while Remus and I get started on this list. You'll be bored anyway.' she knew Remus only had an hour before he had to get back to his Order duties and if he and Sirius stood around talking they wouldn't get anything done.

'I think she's trying to tell me to get out of the way so you too can enjoy some quality swotty time.' Sirius said conspiratorially behind his hand to Remus.

'I think you might be on to something there Pads.' Remus replied seriously.

While Sirius was in the shower, Hermione collected her personal notebook from her surprisingly unorganised armchair filing system, and sat with Remus at the dining table. Remus had pushed the collection of books to one side.

'I've made some notations,' he said, showing her his journal, 'most of it will be okay, it's going to be expensive though, I'm not sure if I could afford it every month, I was thinking I might limit it to winter use, the nights are so long it's always worse then.'

Hermione nodded, 'I thought it might be difficult, I wondered if Dumbledore might help you.'

Remus shrugged, 'We'll just have to wait and see, there are a few things we need that are hard to come by, Bolivian Swamp-mellow and Wyvern Fang are rare, but not impossible. I bought most of the other ingredients over the weekend, just a few more to go.' He smiled at her, 'I'm so grateful you did this, you know.' he said quietly.

'So am I,' Hermione said, 'that's what Sirius said last night – that if anything else, at least something good has come of my being here.'

'Last night?' Remus asked, distracted from the potion ingredients, 'Did he sleep here?'

'Er … yes, he normally does.' Hermione said, she'd assumed Remus knew already.

'Normally?' He sounded concerned, it didn't take Hermione long to figure out why. Remus was a worrier. He wouldn't want Sirius, or Hermione for that matter, distracted from their task when so much was at stake, even if it was a ridiculous notion.

They may have kissed a month ago, but nothing had really changed between them since. Hermione had tacked it up to a triumphant, giddy moment of success - brought on by retrieval of the diary, too much booze and the lack of other lips available. She knew Sirius was a promiscuous fellow, and she had come to the conclusion that the few unusual reactions and odd looks she had noticed directed at her, were nothing more than pent up, excess flirt energy he had to let out somewhere because he wasn't sleeping around anymore. And other than his work colleagues, mother and grandfather, Hermione was the only available option. She wondered when she had become so blasé about such things. She was quite proud of herself for not obsessing over it.

'Well yes, for the last few weeks, it's not a big deal Remus.' she said, trying to put his mind at ease. 'He's always so tired when he gets here, what's the point in sending him away? And it is possible for two people to sleep in the same bed and actually just sleep. If that's what you're thinking.'

He smiled and shrugged, 'You say you know Sirius, so you tell me, do you really think it hasn't crossed his mind?'

'Honestly?' she said, 'He's like a zombie at the moment, I don't think anything at all crosses his mind.'

'That might be true,' Remus said with a chuckle, 'but don't blame me when you wake up with a giant black dog humping your leg.'

Hermione snorted in undignified amusement as the insane picture popped into her mind, she began to giggle and Remus joined in. Sirius's re-entry to the room couldn't have been more poorly timed if he tried.

'Hermione have you seen my –'

His messy, towel dried hair and shirtless condition should probably have inspired a different reaction from Hermione, but instead it just sparked another round of uncontrollable giggles from both her and Remus.

'What?' he asked, slightly agitated as he looked down at his bare chest, then muttered, 'A round of applause would be more appropriate,' as he went back into the bedroom to look for his misplaced t-shirt.

'Oh dear.' Remus said, stifling another bout of laughter, 'He'll be right pissy all day now.'

'He'll live.' said Hermione with a slight hiccough, 'So what do you want to do about these?' she pointed to the list in front of them. 'Sirius gave me some gold to get a dress for the damn gala thing this weekend. I'll donate whatever is left over to the Remus Keeps His Sanity Fund if you like. I'm sure Sirius won't mind.'

'You say that now,' Remus said, the grin resurfacing, 'I just laughed at his manly body. He probably won't talk to me for a week. But thanks, I'll let you know, I have enough for a test run at least, and Lily is really gifted. She won't need back up ingredients. I'm going to see them tomorrow for Friday night dinner before the meeting, so I'll talk to her about it then. I'd really like to give it a go this coming full, but I'll have to start taking it on Monday if I do.'

'It only has to brew overnight,' Hermione said, nodding thoughtfully, looking at the little lunar chart she had drawn up, 'so if you can get everything you need it shouldn't be a problem to start it on Sunday night. Speaking of the Potters,' Hermione went on, 'when we were there a few weeks ago James was worried about you.'

'I know, Padfoot told me.' Remus sighed uneasily, 'I can't believe he'd even think it. But he's going a bit mad trapped in that house, and he has Harry to think about. Merlin, Hallowe'en can't get here soon enough.' He shook his thick sandy hair out of his eyes and smiled, 'I should be going. Same time next week?'

'That would be great.' Hermione said. Here was another person she was going to miss very much when she left. But once again she hoped that he would still be a similar man in twenty years.

'I'll just go and say goodbye to Mr Wounded in there.' Remus said, as he got up from the table.

Hermione busied herself stacking the books on the shelf in the sitting room, she could hear muted mutterings in the bedroom, cursing her own nosiness she moved closer to the door to hear.

Sirius voice was too low for her to make out, but the tone sounded like he was disagreeing with his friend. Then Remus said, 'Well it's up to you mate. See you at the meeting tomorrow?'

She could hear Sirius properly this time. 'Yeah for sure. Prongs is coming too - will be a grand old time.'

Then there was what sounded like Remus clapping Sirius on the shoulder and saying, 'Don't envy you one bit Pads. Total rubbish situation. See ya tomorrow.'

Sirius's grumbling was indiscernible.

Hermione hurried to look occupied with the books as they both came out of the bedroom. Remus gathered his things from the table, and asked in Hermione's direction, 'Gatekeeper, may I be permitted exit?'

'You may.' she said flicking her wand at the door. 'See you next week Remus.' He closed the door behind him and she re-activated the charm.

'So what shall we do today?' Sirius asked, as he put their breakfast wrappings in the bin next to the bench in the kitchen.

'I don't know …' Hermione said, deciding she was far too curious to let it go she asked, 'What's a rubbish situation?'

'Er… plenty of things.' Sirius replied quickly, his back to her still, 'Being mates with a dirty traitor … running out of whiskey … finding out that Prongs had talked the house elves into starching all my school shirts with itching powder – actually,' He turned to face her, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow, 'I was relieved about that one, thought I had some life threating disease. Couldn't understand why he thought his best mate dying was so funny.'

'No,' Hermione said, resisting the urge to laugh, 'Remus just said he didn't envy you for the rubbish situation.'

'Eavesdropping now is it?' he said, looking apprehensive, 'Don't worry, it's just life in general at the moment, you know what he's like. Worry-wart. Thinks I'm pushing myself to hard. Didn't want to say anything to you, since you and him have the same character flaws; book addiction and worrying, such boring hobbies.'

'Oh right.' Hermione muttered, feeling guilty again. She hated that she was no use at the moment, this was supposed to be her mission after all.

'So what do you want to do today?' he asked, ignoring the downcast expression on her face.

'Well … It's not like we can go out can we?' She said, trying to think of something that would hold his attention for longer than ten minutes, 'Because then Moody will know you lied, but I've got some wine … and cards.' Alcohol and gambling, that should keep him happy, she thought.

Sirius's face spread into a wide grin. 'Brilliant, I've been wanting a rematch for weeks. Hope you've still got that gold Granger – I'll be taking it back.'