Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I don't make money from this fic.
October 1, 1976 Hogwarts, Scotland - Gryffindor Boys' Dormitory
"Pads, if you don't sit down, I will hex you six ways to Sunday." James muttered, looking up from The Daily Prophet.
"How can I sit down? I'm a nervous wreck!" Sirius exclaimed. He was pacing the floor between his and James's beds anxiously, wringing his hands and murmuring to himself unintelligibly.
"I've never seen you get this hung up on asking any other girl out, Padfoot." Remus mused, looking up from his desk.
"Yes, well, she's not any other girl, now, is she, Mooney?" he barked.
"No, she's your cousin." James said.
"I don't think matters much, given the Blacks' track record." Remus said, then ducked as Sirius sent a book flying at him. "I'm just saying, Pads. I don't think anyone with think anything of it. It's not as though you aren't related to twenty or so other families, too. You're related to half the school. That's how it is when you're a pureblood."
"But what will she think? She's not been around many purebloods. Hell, from how she was talking, she was practically raised as a Muggleborn." Sirius began pacing again.
"The only way to find out is to ask her, you know. You could ask her to the first Hogsmeade trip. It's coming up, you know." James said.
"How am I gonna pull that off?" Sirius asked.
"I've got an idea or two." Remus grinned. Sirius looked up at him, a little stunned. He glanced over at James, who looked equally stunned.
"You ever known Mooney to give advice about girls, Prongs?" Sirius asked.
"Never." James answered. Remus sighed shaking his head.
"When's the last time Hermione stayed up late to talk to one of you dunderheads about boy problems?" Remus chuckled.
"Boy problems? She's having boy problems and didn't tell me?" James asked, hotly,
"And this is why. She really does know you too well. She said she didn't go to you because you'd get mad. And she didn't go to Sirius because- and I'm quoting here - 'because I'm already confused enough without mixing him into this'." Remus said, stretching.
"Mixing me into it is confusing?" Sirius said, his brow creasing. "Who's the other guy?"
"Gideon Prewett." Remus said, "Been walking her to class recently, he's asked her out a few times already, but she's turned him down. Ironically, for us. She asked me about it shortly after the second time he asked her out. Told her if she ever needed an alibi, not to hesitate to use us."
"Good on you, mate." James said, with a nod. "Prewett's a good bloke, but if Hermione isn't interested, he needs to back off."
"I agree. But Sirius, if you're going to ask her to Hogsmeade, I'd do it soon. Before Gideon has the chance to ask her and force her hand one way or the other." Remus said. Sirius nodded.
"So Mooney, about these plans?" He asked, moving to sit on Remus's bed beside his desk. Remus grinned, turning in his seat.
"I'm glad you asked."
October 22, 1976 Hogwarts, Scotland - Charms Corridor
Sirius hung back after the end of the N.E.W.T. level Charms class to ask Flitwick a question, something extremely out of character for him. He had a couple reasons for this; the first was he really was having a bit of difficulty with his non verbal charms and was looking for some pointers on things he could be doing wrong. The second, though, was that he knew Hermione was always the last person to leave the class on Fridays, and he'd noticed on Wednesday that Prewett's attempts at walking her to class and waiting for her after them were bearing fruit, and he was becoming quite successful in his endeavours. Sirius had finally worked up enough courage to ask her out this time, and he planned on dissuading Prewett from walking with her anymore, while he was at it.
As Sirius finished packing his things after talking to Flitwick, he noticed Hermione talking to to Gideon just outside the door to the Charms classroom. Hermione was frowning, and Sirius could just make out her words.
"...can't, I've got a fifteen inch essay for Arithmancy, two translations for runes, and a Potions essay to finish by next Tuesday." Hermione said.
"Yeah, these N.E.W.T. classes really take up time, don't they? Well, why don't you come to Slughorn's Halloween masquerade with me?" Gideon asked her, moving closer to her. His heart leapt when she backed away. Sirius grabbed his back and slung it over his shoulder, crossing the classroom quickly, even as he heard Hermione stumble over a response.
"I think- I'm not sure what the boys are doing- and the feast-"
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks." Sirius said with a grin, draping an arm over Hermione's shoulders. She looked up at him, her eyes full of relief.
"Oh, but she'll keep her word." Hermione said with a grin.
"You always do. You were coming with me to Hogsmeade on Halloween, weren't you? I asked you and everything."
"Oh, you're right! Silly me, if I don't write something down I totally forget about it." Hermione said, thanks in her eyes.
"Oh, right then. S'pose you're all tied up. I guess I'll just- erm, see you around." Gideon looked the two of them over, frowning a bit before nodding to Hermione and walking away. She watched him round the corner before she let herself sag visibly.
"Sirius, you're brilliant." Hermione said, "I really owe you one for getting me out of that mess."
"Oh you do?" Sirius asked, pulling his arm off her shoulders as they began to make their way back up to Gryffindor Tower.
"Easy, Pads. There's only so much saving my arse counts for in terms of repayment." Hermione said with a giggle.
"That's unfortunate. I was only going to propose you follow through with our fictitious plans for Halloween and come to Hogsmeade with me." Sirius said, shoving his hands in his pockets and only glancing at her when she didn't respond for a second.
"You mean, with you and the others?" She asked. He shook his head.
"No. James and Peter have detention. And I think Remus was going to Slughorn's party with Evans." Sirius told her.
"Lily? With Remus?" Hermione asked, one eyebrow arched.
"They're going as friends. Evans didn't want to go alone, and Remus had nothing better to do with James and Peter in detention." Sirius explained. Hermione nodded.
"So would this be, um- a date?" Hermione asked, her cheeks flushing. Sirius did his damnedest to play it cool.
"It can be whatever you want it to be, love. No pressure from me. Though I'd love for it to be a date." Sirius said. Hermione was quiet for a few moments.
"Okay." Hermione said. "Yeah, I think I'd like for it to be a date, too." Sirius's heart soared. He grinned broadly.
"Brilliant." Sirius said. Hermione blushed furiously, but grinned widely as well.
"I'll meet you in the common room at 6 then?" He asked her. She nodded.
"Yeah. Sounds good to me." She said, before spotting Lily and some of her other roommates. "I'll see you later, Sirius." She said, waving to him before hurrying to catch up to them. Sirius leaned against the wall, watching the girls go. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over to see Remus and James standing behind him, Peter not far off. He grinned at them.
"Good job, mate." James said, holding up his Cloak. "We heard it all."
"I'm honestly surprised by how easy that was." Sirius said. "Getting Prewett to back off, that is."
"I may have Confunded him a little." Remus admitted. Sirius burst out laughing.
"So that was why he looked so confused! Mooney, you're brilliant. I really owe you one." Sirius clapped the taller boy on the back.
"Don't mention it. Seriously, don't mention it. I don't need detention like these two dunderheads. What did you do this time, anyway?" Remus asked.
"Spelled Snivellius's underpants pink then put them on display for the whole Quad. Lost thirty points for Gryffindor, but got ten for an 'exemplary use of the Color-Change Charm'" James said, imitating Flitwick's squeaky voice. Sirius laughed and clapped his mate on the back.
"Nice one. Also, made convincing her loads easier, in my book." Sirius said.
"Yeah, now you've just got to follow through." Peter piped up.
"Yeah, that's the hard part." Sirius sighed. He looked up to where the girls had gathered round a bench. Hermione happened to be looking at him at that very moment and smiled at him across the hall. His heart melted as he smiled back.
"Ah." James crooned, "Young love." Then he dodged a smack to the head.
October 31, 1976 Hogsmeade, Scotland - The Three Broomsticks
Not many Hogwarts students had decided to make the trip down to Hogsmeade that Sunday, as nearly all of them were either attending the feast or Slughorn's event. As such, The Three Broomsticks was quiet, and felt cozier than usual. Sirius and Hermione sat in the back corner, near the fireplace, at a little table. They'd ordered food and sat drinking butterbeer and talking idly.
"You know, Hermione, I'm rather surprised you weren't invited into the Slug Club. Smart pureblood like you, you'd think Slughorn would be all over you." Sirius said, looking her over.
"Oh, I was. I just told him I wanted to wait until after midterms before doing anything extracurricular. To ensure I could keep up with the course work." Hermione told him. Sirius's face fell.
"So then you are part of that mess then?" He sighed.
"Why are you so against it, Sirius?" she asked, frowning at him.
"It's just- stupid. That's why." he claimed, shifting in his seat. She examined him, her eyes narrowing for a moment before widening again.
"It's Regulus, isn't it?" She said softly, her hand moving to cover his hand. He nodded. He wasn't sure how she knew so damn much about him, especially when he couldn't quite figure it out himself sometimes. "Sirius, he's still your brother. He's still your family."
"No, Hermione, you don't understand. He's the definition of Slytherin. The perfect Heir to the House of Black. He is the antithesis of all I am." Sirius explained to her.
"Perhaps he's just doing what he must to get by, Sirius. I've not met Regulus, but I've met several witches and wizards who were the sons and daughters of Dark wizards back in France. The vast majority of them had no choice.You rebelled, and look what happened. Where would you be if Aunt Effie hadn't taken you in?" She snapped.
"I'd be at Hogwarts. I tried talking to Reg. Tried to get him to see my side, 'Mione. He won't listen." He pleaded.
"If he's half as stubborn as you, I'm not surprised. You don't have to be chummy with him, Sirius. But he's still your family. If anything were to happen to you, I'd want you to be able to come to me, even if something happened and we hated each other. Don't you want the same for Regulus?" She asked. Sirius thought that over long and hard. Did he want that? If it came down to Regulus fleeing from the Death Eaters he once envied and trusted, would he want his brother to be able to come to him?
He knew the answer was yes. He loved his brother dearly, and though the past few years had been rough on their relationship, Reg had been his first friend. He'd always been there for him though the pre-Hogwarts years. Sirius nodded.
"Yeah, I get what you're saying, Hermione." He sighed. "I'll make an effort to let him know, no matter what, he can always come to me. Even if he can't go to Mum and Dad. Especially then." Sirius said. Hermione smiled.
"You really are one of the most caring people I know, Sirius." She said. "For all the illusions of aloofness you give off, it's rather nice to know you're just a big teddy bear under all that tall, dark, and handsome exterior."
"You think I'm handsome?" Sirius asked. Hermione giggled.
"Yes, Sirius. I think you're handsome." She said.
"Have I told you you look beautiful tonight?" He asked.
"Only about twice. Once before we even made it out of the common room." She said, rolling her eyes.
"We'll it's true, so I'll say it again. You're absolutely stunning tonight." He said.
"Laying it on thick, are we?" She laughed at him.
"I made you laugh, didn't I? You know that's the sole purpose to most things I do." Sirius told her. She grinned.
"I'm glad I said yes." she said suddenly. "To this." She motioned between the two of them.
"Why's that?" He asked.
"I just realized how much I enjoy watching these walls you put up around yourself come crashing down. It's satisfying and fascinating," Hermione said, studying his face.
"Given time, perhaps I'll get to see those walls of your crumble down, too." Sirius said, his voice lower. He knew that there was a lot about her past that she wasn't telling him. He could practically see the walls behind her eyes, shutting her off from the rest of the world. Pair that with her nightmares, and Sirius knew she had to have secrets.
Hermione merely sighed, looking down. "Yeah. Perhaps."