Sirius was whistling as he held a blonde in his hand. Blonde americano, that is. Harry and Ginny were off in some store, and Hermione was finishing up with her conversation on the phone. Remus had decided to do a bit of his own shopping… preparing for another shoot was arduous and agonizing, but they needed a few new materials for their plans.

"Yes, I just feel like that would be best. Yes, Reggie, of course. You know real estate, and I want the best price for it. Email me when you have the counter, alright? Thank you so much. Tell Sev I appreciate the once over of the paperwork. Bye," Hermione hung up and walked over to Sirius.

"Getting ready to buy the place?" Sirius questioned.

Hermione nodded with a smile. "It's a great house. When I go over for the inspection, you should come."

"I'm looking forward to it," he grinned.

"I think you'll be satisfied. It has a pool," Hermione beamed.

Sirius struck his chest before sipping his coffee. "A woman after my own heart. Pool scenes are fun," he grinned.

Hermione rolled her neck. "Yes, and also just to swim in, Sirius."

He sipped his drink and hummed. "Moony said that Sadist Sadie is your real estate agent?"

Her cheeks blossomed with color. "I didn't know she was in our scene when Sharon recommended her."

Sirius waved. "She's harmless to you, but Moony has a possessive streak."

Hermione hummed and sipped her water. "Well, it seems you're exempt."

"I'll always be exempt," Sirius laughed. "He loves me too damn much to tell me no."

"That's likely true," Hermione sighed as she finished her water and threw it away in the bin. "What are you doing?"

Sirius was glancing up at the glass ceiling above. "Just thinking. How are your nails and hair treating you?" He asked.

Hermione fluffed out her hair and smirked. "Not bad. It was a nice trim, and the color is decent on my toes, right?"

Sirius smirked and glanced at the lovely purple. "Excellent choice."

Hermione felt as if he was ignoring her. It was stinging for the very involved man to be so distant. "Sirius, what are you thinking about?"

He slurped the last of his drink and tossed it in the garbage. "Well, I was going over a possible yard shot, but it would have to wait until Harry leaves," he smirked.

Maybe all she was is his muse. That produced a deep-set scowl on her face. "Are you going to take me shopping or not?" Hermione asked.

Sirius arched his eyebrow and noted her near brat-ish expression. "Yes, but only if you do one thing."

"What?" Hermione huffed.

Sirius smirked and produced the plastic ring he won earlier in the mini claw machine while waiting for their drinks. "You better perform like you mean it, Kitten," he hissed.

Hermione scowled and glanced around. What the fuck was this crazy marauder doing now? The fountain had teenagers and couples relaxing with their drinks. Everyone appeared to be having a great day. What did a plastic… shit.

Sirius sunk to his knee and pursed his lips. "The days I spend with you are the best and worth all of the growing pains. I've ripped open my chest and revealed my true nature to you, Margret," he announced with a loud bellowing voice.

Margret… oh, Jesus. Hermione covered her lips and widened her eyes as he held up the ring.

"You're the blood in my veins, the light of my life. Margret Viola Thatcher, will you marry me?" Sirius asked with a pinched smile.

Hermione produced the best elaborate gasp and puffed. "Oh, oh my God! Of course, I'll marry you, Dick!" She shouted and even pressed out some fake tears.

Sirius slid on the ring on her finger, and there was clapping and cheering throughout the whole area. People on the second level were looking down and clapping, hooting for the engagement. Sirius scooped her up and gave her a forceful kiss. The kind of kiss that knocks you off your equilibrium and melts your toes.

Hermione moaned and ran her fingers through his hair as Sirius's hand traveled up her back. Hot damn, he was fucking delicious! He swung her around and laughed as she giggled and cast her head to the ceiling. When he set her down on her feet, they both bowed to the whistling, and he tugged her off through the mall.

She was still laughing as they ran into a shop and puffed. "You're bloody mental," she snickered.

Sirius grinned. "I know, but that was fun."

"How often do you fake propose to women, Sirius?" Hermione snorted as she straightened her dress.

Sirius scratched his chin and shrugged. "Never. I just thought it would be fun to see if you could pull it off."

"How did I do?" Hermione puffed and pushed her hair from her shoulders.

"Outstanding," Sirius laughed and took her hand. "Look, some cute things," He pointed with his free hand.

Hermione noted his grip as they traveled. Why was he so confusing? Hermione shoved the questions away and watched as he sifted through the clothing.

"Oh, yes, this would look delicious on you," Sirius sighed as he pulled out a small pink shirt with a design.

"Isn't that a bit youthful for your tastes?" Hermione questioned.

"No, absolutely not," Sirius hummed. "We'll get you dressed up like a princess in no time."

Princess? All this time, she knew Remus's kinks and preferences, but just assumed Sirius was a kinkster. A rigger. Sirius. He never revealed what got him going or boiled his blood. Hell, she didn't even know if he just fucked her out of mercy the other night. That hurt, actually. A pity fuck.

Hermione bunched her arms together across her chest and nodded. "Yeah, no time," she lost the winds in her sails.

"Love?" Sirius asked as she traveled to another portion of the clothing to be away from his view.

"Just browsing, Sirius," Hermione called out.

It shouldn't hurt. She was happy with Remus, after all. Very happy with Remus. She shouldn't be selfish or needy, or demanding… that was what he said she was, and maybe it was true?

"Love, are you okay?" Sirius whispered as he touched her.

"Yes, just had a sour memory bubble up," Hermione sighed. "Don't worry about me, Sirius. I'm fine."

He rubbed her arms and shook his head. "No, you're not okay. You know what fine stands for? Fucked-up Insecure Neurotic and Emotional."

"Just stop," Hermione wrenched from him. "Stop being nice to me."

Sirius raised his eyebrows and held up his hands. "Okay."

"I can't deal with it. I can't deal with you acting like you did back at the fountain and then treating me like a pity fuck," Hermione murmured as she didn't meet his eyes.

"Pity fuck?" Sirius questioned.

Hermione met his gaze and rolled her eyes before walking away. She took to finding some clothing when he popped over with the pink shirt. Sirius was watching her, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see his jaw was set.

"What do you mean pity fuck?" He asked.

"You didn't really want to fuck me, Sirius. You did it for Remus. You probably don't even think I'm pretty," Hermione puffed as she tried to shove down the tears that were building. "It makes sense."

"Where is all of this coming from?" Sirius asked.

"It doesn't matter," Hermione fought back the urge to sniffle.

Sirius stepped closer, and his brow was skewed. "You're so fucking gorgeous, love. You crumble me. I didn't do it after the shoot because you wanted to. I did it because I did."

Hermione rubbed her nose with the back of her hand as a tear fell. "Really?" Her voice was so small.

"Yes," he puffed. "More than yes. I was greedy as shit, and Moony knew that as I stood there rock hard. It's not often pretty girls get me going like that."

"I'm a horrible person," Hermione murmured as she swiped away her tears. "Here, I am blubbering about you not thinking I'm pretty, and I'm dating your best friend."

Sirius winced and pressed his thumb to her cheekbone as he cupped her face. "You're just dropping, and that's okay. Moony likely ran you on fumes. Did you need a hug and me to hold you?"

Hermione nodded with a pout. "Please?"

Sirius groaned and tugged her to his body. "Why do you have to be so damn cute, even when you cry?"

Hermione clutched him and huffed. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "No, I am. I should have told you," he sighed. "You're gorgeous, desirable, and so fucking brilliant it brings me awe."

"I'm sorry for being such a mess. I know you have no obligations or loyalty to me," Hermione murmured.

Sirius scrunched his brow as he stroked her hair. "Does that bother you, love?"

"Sometimes," Hermione whispered. "Then I remember what my ex said. He said I was greedy, demanding, selfish, and a horrible sub."

Sirius shook his head and made a mental note to find out who the fuck was, crunch his nuts under his boot, and punch him in the dick. "You're none of those things," he assured her.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled again.

Sirius pulled from her and ducked down to her level. "Look at me, Kitten."

Hermione did as she wiped her eyes.

"Stop apologizing to me, okay? You're not in the wrong. You're allowed to feel desire and want for whoever you like. You're allowed to say when those desires aren't being met."

Hermione chewed on her lower lip.

"Do you understand me? Do you understand what I'm saying?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Yes, what?" Why did he want to make her say it? What was this drive? Sirius never had them before.

"Yes, Daddy," she murmured.

He caressed her hair and felt the heat coming from her scalp. She was so upset. He had caused her to cry. This wasn't what he liked at all. Tears weren't his turn on and indeed weren't his drive.

"Let's pick out some cute clothes. I want to see them, do you understand?"

Again, Sirius? He could kick himself. What the fuck was coming out of his mouth!?

"Yes, Daddy," she whispered as he wiped away her tears.

He caressed her cheek and licked his lips. "Kitten, do you need anything? What do you want to make you feel better at our house? You need to be able to have something yours. We'll get your clothes, maybe a nicer blanket? You need to have a bit of cuddles with the screams."

Hermione bit her fucking lip, again, and then proceeded with another doe-eyed pout. "I do miss having my blanket. I have one at home I curl up and read with."

"We'll find you one," he agreed. "We'll get some frozen yogurt after we find some cute things, alright?"

She nodded and looked like a sliver better. "Okay."

"And I'll steal you from Moony tonight so we can watch a movie. I think you need a bit of time to relax," Sirius assured her and touched her forehead with his thumb.

She closed her eyes, and he could see it. Sirius could see how tired and spent she was. The sub-drop had struck her at the worst moment, and she needed him. This wasn't supposed to be his job, was it? He wasn't supposed to want to do this. He was Moony's support, but he never had to take care of any of the girls before.

"Is that okay?" Hermione asked.

Was it okay to steal time from Moony? He wasn't even sure, but he'd be a fucker to let her not have some sugar with the spice. "Yes, that's okay, Kitten," he murmured.

Hermione walked to him and kissed his cheek before running her nose in his beard. "You're amazing," she sighed.

His heart lurched like a schoolboy chasing after a girl. As if he was some bloody knob, which was the sensitive fuck in a film. His heart thrummed, and he felt dread and excitement at the same time as his fingers ran through her hair.

"Now, I have a few ideas," he chuckled.

"Okay, Daddy," Hermione smiled against his face.

Hermione's mood improved within minutes as he picked out things he liked for her. Things he wanted her to wear. Moony didn't care, and Sirius was always curious why he placed that stipulation on the house. Sirius, however, did. He liked the girls to be cute, and even though he never was interested in fucking a few of them, he still enjoyed it.

After several outfits, likely too many, and a few other accessories from different stores, Sirius had taken her to a knicker shop. Hermione's cheeks were flaming as they entered, and the woman at the counter waved them to her.

"Welcome," she said with a smile.

"Sirius, we don't," she huffed and tried to pull him out.

"My girlfriend needs pretty things to wear while she's at my house," Sirius said.

Hermione winced.

"Well, we have a wonderful selection of nightwear," the woman offered and tried to glance at Hermione.

"I'm sorry, she's so shy. You see, she never asks me for anything. Nothing. So giving and kind. So beautiful and delightful. I told her for her birthday. I wanted to spend money on her wardrobe," Sirius paused and held up the bags in his hand. "But she is so hard to shop for!"

The woman laughed and shook her head. "Miss, I promise we can find you something nice that your boyfriend will love."

Hermione puffed and nodded as she stood with Sirius gripping her wrist. "Alright."

It was long as the woman sized Hermione up and showed her about. Hermione would find different things she thought would look good on her and some cases practical. However, she didn't see Sirius walking behind her and snagging up her sizes in the items she liked.

The saleswoman was good. She even offered Hermione some beautiful lingerie for 'special' evenings. Those Sirius snagged without Hermione even passing a glance at as they finished their shopping.

Hermione had her selected items in hand when Sirius placed the bundle in his arms on the counter. Her face turned crimson. "Sirius, no," Hermione tried.

Sirius handed the woman his credit card and smirked. "I'm going to buy what I like, Kitten."

"I have the means to pay for it," she attempted again.

"And these aren't for your enjoyment. They're for mine. If you want to get me a birthday gift to wear when I fuck you until you purr, then you can at my birthday," Sirius said with finality to his tone.

Hermione bit her lip as the saleswoman was stifling a smile. "I'm so sorry for his crass language."

"I've heard much worse here, Miss. He just wants you to feel pretty," she responded.

Sirius chuckled and stroked her hair. "See, nothing wrong with it."

Hermione was led by the relentless marauder as he pulled her from the store and to the next adventure. He ended up buying her a blanket, a fluffy orange cat stuffed animal, and a pair of heels that said she was royalty. Hermione wasn't used to this type of attention, but his sentiment made her smile and warmed up after such a sharp drop.