Week 17
Harry slumped out of the floo, dusting himself off haphazardly. As he tuned into his surroundings, he registered the hum of music. He stepped into the foyer and slowly went upstairs, following the strumming of guitars, beats of drumming, and high-pitched vibrato.
His feet led him to Sirius's study. The door was open so he peered inside.
Sirius was laying on his brown faux-leather sofa, hands resting on his abdomen, and his eyes closed.
Music was playing from a record player Harry had never seen before. He stepped into the study and from his new vantage point saw a few records spread out on the floor.
"Sirius?"
Sirius's gray eyes snapped open. He gave him a soft smile. "Harry, you're home."
Harry slunk his cloak off and tossed it over the back of the armchair before plopping down in the chair. "Who are you listening too?"
Sirius pushed himself up and sat back against the sofa. "Merlin, have I not introduced you to Queen?" He hid his face in his hands. "I'm a complete failure of a godfather."
Harry rolled his eyes. "They sound good."
"They're better than good. They're bloody brilliant." He briefly looked over his shoulder. "I stomped around the attic and rummaged around for some of my and your mum's old records. Most of them are over there."
"My mum?"
Sirius smiled. "Your mum loved music. She's the one who introduced me to rock n' roll and jazz and the like."
Harry blanched. Good Godric, there were still so many things he didn't know about his parents. But really, why did it take him so long to learn about his mother's preference for music?
Sirius stretched to his feet. "I'm going to go fly around. You wanna come with me?"
Harry shook his head.
Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulder. He walked past him but lingered in the doorway. "Did you and Hermione get in a fight?"
"What? No. Why do you ask?"
He heard Sirius sigh softly. "She hasn't come by in a while. Remus told me she hasn't come to the house either. She's not out of town again, is she?"
"No." She was definitely not out of town. She was probably just staying away because the last time he actually talked to her, he asked if she'd have sex with him.
He wanted to slap himself.
"Well, let her know it's been too long since she's visited. You know what, I'll just write to her." Sirius left the room before Harry could respond.
Harry scratched his head. He stood with a groan and sat down in front of the record player and gathered the records up.
Did he completely muck it up with Hermione? She can say no and he'd totally be alright with it. Their continued friendship wasn't dependent on whether or not they had sex.
She was one of his best friends - he didn't want to lose her.
He laid down on the floor and closed his eyes, letting Queen soothe away the ache from his workday and the peculiar weight he felt on his chest.
Week 15
Hermione stepped out of the floo. She dusted the soot away and stepped out into the foyer, holding up her dish of chicken casserole. She stilled in the kitchen, finding it empty.
Then, she heard the low hum of music coming from the back garden. She walked purposely to the back door, bumping into Tonks as she walked in.
"Hermione, you're here." Her voice was low. She gave the younger witch a one-armed hug. "Teddy, Remus, Sirius, and Harry are outside. There's a table set up for the food. I have to head over to my mum's," she rolled her eyes, "we forgot the treacle tart. I'll be right back."
Hermione nodded and watched Tonks walk away. She took a breath and carefully stepped out. A small smile came to her face at the sight of the low-lit garden.
Little enchanted lights floated around the garden. A long wooden table was set aside with a few matching chairs and an assortment of food. Remus and Sirius were sitting in small plush garden chairs that she was sure were actually bean bags.
She panicked a little. She couldn't see Harry anywhere. She stamped softly to the table and set down the chicken casserole and that's when she saw him - laying a little further out on a maroon blanket, with Teddy sitting beside him. A little child's telescope was set up between them.
But, first things first.
She walked over to where Remus and Sirius were sitting. She placed her hand on Sirius's shoulder.
Sirius patted her hand softly. "Hey, love. I'm glad you're here."
She moved to kneel, but Sirius stopped her with a quick squeeze. He got to his feet and pulled her into a warm hug.
She wrapped her arms around him. "Thanks for inviting me."
She felt his chest rumble. He kissed the side of her head. "You're family, Hermione."
Her stomach fluttered. She stepped out of her hold and attempted to distract herself. "So, you're a fan of Queen?"
Sirius smiled brightly. "You like Queen?"
She shrugged. "I suppose. My parents are fans. One of their first dates was at a Queen concert."
Sirius laughed loudly. "You're kidding!"
Remus pushed him away and hugged Hermione. "Don't mind him."
She chuckled into his shoulder. "I don't."
She finally moved away from them and slowly made her way to the blanket. "Harry?"
He leaned his head backward, the smallest of smiles gracing his face. "You made it."
She sat down on Teddy's other side. "Of course I did."
Harry sat up with a groan and began to laugh under his breath as Teddy launched himself into Hermione's arms.
"We're stargazing, Mai." He settled back behind his telescope, peering into the eyepiece.
Hermione scooted a little closer to Harry. "Harry -"
"Mai, what's your favorite flower?" Teddy asked suddenly.
Harry propped his leg up and rested his elbow on his knee. He leaned his chin in his hand and smiled at her sheepishly.
She smiled back. She grazed her fingers over Teddy's turquoise hair. "I like tulips."
"Tulips? What are those?"
Hermione ripped out a blade of grass and transfigured it into a pink tulip. She handed it to Teddy.
"Oh, that's pretty." Teddy rubbed his finger over the petals and then turned his attention back to his telescope.
"I didn't think you were going to come," Harry muttered.
"Of course, I was going to come. If you or Sirius need me, I'll be there."
He turned to the sky. "Right."
She moved a little closer. She reached up and carefully moved some strands of hair out of his face. "Have you been taking care of yourself?"
He closed his eyes at her touch. "I could do better."
"Harry," she chided.
He took her hand in his, bringing clasped hands down to the blanket. "Are we okay?"
"Of course we are," but she couldn't stop her face from flushing.
"I thought you were avoiding me."
She squeezed his fingers. "I'll admit, I kind of was. I don't want things to be weird between us."
He scoffed. "The fact that you've taken this long to answer is an answer in itself."
"Harry, I -"
He shook his head and let go of her hand. "You busy next month?"
She brought her hands to her lap. "Did you want to do something?"
"There's a Queen cover band I want to see in London, they have a show the third week of November. I thought maybe you'd like to go with me."
"I'd love to go."
Teddy turned abruptly. "Where are you going? I want to go!"
"Teddy!" Tonks yelled from the food table. Teddy sprung up from the blanket and ran off.
Hermione kept her attention on Harry. "It's cold tonight, isn't?"
His green eyes met hers. "It usually is on Halloween."