Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the wonderful wizarding world and all credit must be given to Ms. JK Rowling, however, anything unrecognisable is of my own creation.

Chapter 39: Dreamless Sleep Potion

We'd been training with Professor Cullen for almost an hour.

"I think that's quite enough for this afternoon," she announced as I collapsed into the seat behind me. I felt blooming awful. This dark energy resistance training had not agreed with me at all. Professor Cullen had commented that the levels of dark energy we were experiencing today, were nothing compared to the levels we'd face at the Gaunt estate. Right now, I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with retrieving the ring. "You should both get some rest," Professor Cullen continued, "spend some time with each other, have dinner, and then get some sleep." I watched as she retrieved two potion vials, which she passed to Sirius. "Dreamless sleep potions," she explained, "they're double strength… and will leave you feeling rather confused in the morning."

Sirius nodded, "I promise I'll look after her." He'd coped considerably better than I had.

Professor Cullen smiled, "I know you will." I watched as Sirius then wandered over to me.

"Would you like a piggy-back ride?" He asked. I nodded, meaning Sirius helped me onto his back. He walked slowly up to Gryffindor tower.

"How did you cope so well?" I mumbled. Sirius kissed me as I peered over his shoulder.

"I'm a Black remember," he said, "I grew up in a house full of dark energy." Oh. I guess that makes sense. "How're you feeling?"

"Dreadful," I said.

Sirius frowned, "it's alright… you can come curl up in bed with me, and I'll read to you."

"Really?" I asked. He's never read to me. I felt tears flood my eyes.

"Aww sweetie," Sirius started, as he saw the tears, "of course I will. I'm always going to look after you, when you're not feeling well." I felt Sirius speed up as we climbed the stairs. We reached the common room a few moments later. Sirius carried me up to his dormitory, placing me on his bed. I kissed him. "I love you," he said, wiping away my tears.

"I love you too," I mumbled, before climbing under Sirius's duvet. I watched Sirius wander over to his trunk, pulling out my copy of Grimm's fairy tales.

I was curled-up in Sirius's lap, listening to him reading fairy tales, when James returned from Quidditch practice. James raised his eyebrows.

"Leave it, Prong." Sirius warned, "Mynee's not feeling well."

James frowned, "what's wrong?"

"Women's problems," I said, but only to stop further questions. James pulled a face, before disappearing off into the bathroom.

Sirius smirked, "women's problems?"

"Stopped him asking questions," I said.

"You feeling better?" Sirius continued.

"A little," I replied, "just terrible now, not dreadful." Sirius kissed me. We were still kissing when James returned from the shower. He cleared his throat; Sirius and I jumped apart.

"Dinner?" James asked.

Sirius nodded, "definitely… I'm starving." He scrambled out of bed, turning to offer me his hand. We followed James down to the Great Hall. James was talking about Quidditch practice. I remained quiet, letting Sirius do all the talking. Arriving in the Great Hall, Sirius wrapped his arm around me, as he sat beside me at the Gryffindor table. "You alright?" he whispered.

I shrugged, "I'm not hungry."

He frowned, "you have to eat something." I nodded, serving myself a slice of chicken pie and some parsnips. The chicken pie is usually one of my favourites. I sat picking at the food. I knew Sirius wouldn't let me leave, until it was all gone. Sirius seemed like his usual self, as I watched him talking to the other Marauders, though he's definitely not eating as much as usual, so I guess he isn't feeling quite right. "You better've saved room for pudding," Sirius whispered as I fed myself the last mouthful of chicken pie. I frowned, although as Sirius placed a slice a raspberry and vanilla cheesecake in front of me, I smiled.

"Where'd this come from?" I asked. I hadn't seen this particular cheesecake on the table this evening, but it's my favourite dessert.

Sirius grinned, "I asked the house elves to bring you a slice."

"What? When?" I said.

"Few minutes ago," Sirius shrugged. Oh. I must really be out of it. I didn't struggle at all eating the cheesecake, and once it had vanished into my stomach, I wrapped my arms around Sirius's waist with a yawn.

He chuckled, "sleepy, love?" I nodded.

We excused ourselves from the table and went back to Gryffindor tower. I fetched myself pyjamas, before joining Sirius in the Marauder's dormitory. I grinned, as I walked in on Sirius changing into his own pyjamas. "Someone's feeling better?" He commented. I flushed red.

"The cheesecake helped," I commented.

Sirius smiled, "I thought it might." I watched Sirius preparing the dreamless sleep potions as I climbed into my pyjamas. "I'm guessing you've never had a strong one of these," Sirius asked. I shook my head. I'd read about the side effects of dreamless sleep potions, when they're brewed using the double strength formula. The book had described it as leaving the consumer in a confused state, even after waking from sleep. I wasn't looking forward to taking it. I climbed into Sirius bed, making myself comfortable as he handed me the potion. It's deep medicinal purple colour. Sirius pulled me into his arms as he got into the bed beside me. He pressed his lips to my hair. "I'll be right here," he said, "when you wake up." I kissed him. I then drank the potion. "I love you," Sirius whispered, and that was the last thing I remember. I didn't know where I was, when I opened my eyes. Everything seemed so far away. The light coming through the windows was just a weird swirl of dust. I flinched when something moved beside me.

"Hermione," a voice said. I thought that I recognised the voice, but I'm not quite sure where it came from. I glanced around the room. I flinched again as arms wrapped around me. I don't think they're my arms. "Hermione," the voice repeated. Sirius.

"Sirius?' I mumbled.

"Yes," the voice said, "it's me, sweetie." The 'something' beside me came into focus. The familiar silver eyes that always instantly make me feel safe. I wrapped my arms tightly around him.

"Sirius," I mumbled again. I felt his arm tighten around me.

"Shhh," he mumbled, "it's alright, sweetie. I'm here. I've got you."

"What's happening to me?" I continued to mumble.

"It's just the potion," he reassured, "it'll pass. I promise, but you're safe." I felt the duvet wrap around me, pressing me further into Sirius's arms. I took a deep breath. The smell of spearmint and tea-tree oil filled my lungs. I stayed in my little safe haven for a few moments, as my head started to clear itself. I remembered taking that strong dream-less sleep potion, but I don't remember falling to sleep.

"Sirius," I mumbled, a little clearer this time. "Is it morning?"

Sirius chuckled, "yes. It's morning." I pushed away, so that I could stare into his eyes. Sirius Black; my safe haven.