Sirius was thoroughly chuffed. Muggles had style. He spent the morning in London, digging for a concept on what to wear. He settled on simple. She probably would have been annoyed with him wearing something attention-grabbing. He hasn't been able to enjoy the small thrills of life since… well, since he could remember. By the sound of his past, he didn't have much after.
There was a knock at the door. "Sirius, can I come in?" Hermione questioned.
Sirius reached over and opened the barrier to view the witch. He had to tell his jaw to stay attached, mentally encouraging his face to remain neutral. Hermione was in a burgundy cocktail dress. Legs for days. Woah.
"Hey, love, what's going on? I was finishing up," Sirius found his tongue.
Hermione turned around and pointed. "Zip me up?"
She came all the way up here in that smokin' hot to have him zip her up? Not even close. "So, when should we leave?" He asked while complying.
"When you're ready. I need to grab my bag," Hermione declared.
Sirius brushed her hair from the nape of her neck and inwardly groaned. Did she have to smell so delicious? What was the purpose of this? "Give me a moment to double-check my appearance, and I'll meet you down the stairs?"
"Fair," Hermione murmured. "See you there."
Hermione stepped from the door, and a deep moan was sounded. She rolled her eyes and descended. Why did he have to be so right all the time? When she reached the drawing-room that was crack, she picked up her bag and dug through it. "You know, it's unfair that I even took this flutter," Hermione grumbled.
Remus bounced his eyebrows as he grinned. "I know, Hermione. However, you were certain that wasn't the case."
She walked over, her heels loud on the flooring. "Well, here's your cheap wager," Hermione snickered as she handed him four galleons.
He set his book down and took the coins. His free hand ran up her arm and touched her cheek. "You look edible," he chuckled.
"I hope so. Sirius looks far better than I do. If I dressed how I wanted to, I probably wouldn't get anyone to buy me a drink," Hermione teased with a bright smirk.
"Hermione."
The witch pivoted to see Severus standing in a grey turtleneck. Not something she would have suspected he would prefer. She smiled and waved. "I'm hoping after our energetic friend gets it out of his system, we'll be home before morning."
Severus's surprise leaked out in eyebrows raised in the slightest. "Well, don't drink too much. We won't be there to find you both if you get lost."
"The charms of working for the ministry," Hermione said as she walked up to him. "Is all you have to do is floo Kingsley. He'll track me down," she laughed with a wink.
"Come on, love, leave the old buggers to their reading!" Sirius called from the hallway.
Hermione touched Severus's arm as she reached for her bag. "Try to enjoy your quieter evening. I promise we won't be out past two o'clock. I'm hoping earlier, but I won't dampen his enjoyment."
The two wizards nodded as she walked out of the room. Severus skulked to the door to watch Sirius touching the witch's back as they went down the last flight of stairs. He glanced back at Remus, who shrugged and tucked the coin in his hand in his pocket.
"She's going out with him dressed like that?" Severus growled.
"Hermione is her own person, Severus," Remus mused.
"And you're not affronted at all?" Snape asked.
Remus shrugged his shoulders and breathed. "I have no right to be possessive. Trust me. It's a task I wasn't looking forward to mastering."
Severus gestured to the door. "She can't just prance around with that fool. He's going to shag her in the bathroom and avoid her."
"Hey, now, that's my most loyal friend you're talking about. He knows what's at stake," Remus retorted with a sharp glare.
Severus paced the room and shook his head. "Lupin, we have to be pragmatic," he said.
"And we are. Sirius represents repressed freedom to her. Let her let him be free," Remus huffed.
"He shouldn't be distracting her," Severus snapped.
"Are you jealous?" Remus questioned.
"No."
Remus folded his legs over the other and frowned. "Then you need to trust us too. I know you aren't based on your emotions, but she is. You need to find a way to attach yourself to her perspective. She'll need you when we tell her that she has to complete the purpose of the potion."
Severus sneered and shook his head. "I don't appreciate this bloody potion, Lupin."
"And neither do I. However, we have to comply with its need, or she dies."
"Well, I'm not doing it," Severus snapped.
Remus smirked and nodded. "I understand. However, Sirius and I talked about it. We don't mind."
Severus arched an eyebrow as he stopped moving. "You don't, hm? Maybe it would be beneficial for someone with more intellect."
"Well, how about this; when it comes down to the conversation, she chooses?"
Severus snorted as he collapsed in the empty armchair. "I suppose that's appropriate."
"I owl'd Molly. She's going to throw Teddy a party on Sunday," Remus declared.
"Well, it starts then?" Severus sighed.
"Yes, it has to. We have to get a handle on the situation. You may want to invest in some patience. The Weasleys are loud, kind, and in each other's business from what George and Fred said."
"Yes."
"Good, now, why don't we get used to each other's company? We are going to be in each other's lives for however long it lasts," Remus sighed.
Severus reached over and handed Remus a book. "She had this in her study. I swiped it yesterday. She spent many days reading it by the worn pages. Lupin, she applied herself plenty for you."
Remus glanced down at the book on moon magic. When he flipped through it, there were notes all in the open spaces. Jots of werewolf temperament and timing. This witch was so unusual and exceptional.
"Thank you, Severus," Remus said with a nod.
Severus smirked and folded his arm. "She's quite formidable. I hope Black can keep up."
Remus let out a stream of laughter with a nod. "Me too."
Hermione was standing at the counter, waiting for her drink. A form slid next to her and touched her arm. "Hey there, gorgeous," the stranger purred.
"Hello," Hermione declared as she turned to him.
The man was likely younger and far less experienced than she would have engaged with. However, Sirius found himself mingling, and that left her stag. Not that she was jealous, well, maybe a little. Women would double-take the handsome man in a grey button-up and black vest.
They agreed to regroup later after some fun had been collected. However, Hermione wasn't having as much fun as she thought. This was a scene for singles ready to dance the night away. Not for people like her. She was single, but… well, she was complicated. This was all complicated.
"What's something so pretty doing here?"
Such a disappointing line. "Just getting a drink. I was going to go to dance."
He gripped her arm with slight possession. Hermione's eyebrows scrunched. "We can dance."
"No, that's quite alright. I'm meeting a few friends on the floor," she lied.
The man smirked as his pale skin was almost green under the low lights. "I'm sure they won't mind if I crash your girls' group."
"I'm not interested, I have a boyfriend," Hermione said as she pulled her arm away.
"I don't see him here," the man continued as he stepped toward her. "We can pretend that you don't for tonight." His fingers were firmer on her arm.
Did he think she was drunk and easy prey? Shame she couldn't hex muggles.
"No, we can't, he's around here somewhere," Hermione huffed.
"I think you just need another drink to change your mind," the stranger snickered.
"Darling, there you are. Did you get our drinks?" Sirius asked as he walked up.
Hermione yanked her arm from the stranger and smiled at him. "Not yet," she said.
Sirius scooped the witch up and kissed her thoroughly in front of the intruder. Hermione's eyebrows bounced as she coiled her arms around his shoulders. It was an earth-shattering snogging. His hand traced her hip as his free fingers tangled in her hair. Hermione was glad she was leaning against the bar counter.
Sirius pulled away and looked around for the man. He disappeared. "You looked like you needed a bit of help," he chuckled.
"Thank you," Hermione giggled breathlessly.
Drinks slid on the counter next to her. "Thanks, mate," Sirius announced as he grabbed a bottle and handed her the cocktail. "Want to dance? The crowd here is a bit young."
Hermione swallowed down her drink with a nod. "Let's."
Sirius's hand waved for the bartender. "Three shots for the lady? She's not sloshed enough."
The barkeep shrugged and poured three shots. "Sirius, I'm not going to drink all of that," Hermione huffed as she slid the notes across the counter.
Sirius handed her the first. She drank it. He followed through with the next two, and Hermione shuddered. "You'll be just right now," he chuckled.
Hermione waved at him to drink. "Hurry, let's go dance!"
Sirius swigged down his beer and escorted her to the floor. It was loud and obnoxious music, but Hermione looked far too grand moving her body. Sirius was mesmerized by the music, the booze, and this fucking fabulous witch.
Probably too many Drinks and too much time later…
The door slammed open, and Hermione laughed. "Shirius, be quiet," She shushed with her finger.
"Let's get some of that chocolate you and Moony boast about," Sirius chuckled.
Hermione shifted on her heels and shut the front door. "My feet are killing me," Hermione groaned.
Sirius scooped the witch up and wobbled into the kitchen. They were laughing and awkwardly ventured into the dining room. The witch moaned as Sirius set her down on the table. His lips trailed her shoulder as he groaned. "Chocolate, Moony says chocolate."
"It's in the cupboard," Hermione sighed as she gripped his unbuttoned vest.
"No, kitten, it's right here," he whispered as his lips traced the rise and fall of her chest.
"Oh, fucking amazing. Sirius, what are you doing to me?" Hermione moaned as she cast her face to the ceiling. "I'm going to melt."
"Nothing yet, Hermione. You just stay with me long enough to get a taste, yes?" Sirius questioned as he slid his fingers under the hem of her dress.
Her pretty lacy knickers landed on the floor as Sirius pulled up a chair. Her eyes found his as he delivered her a wolfish grin. "Heels up, love. I'm dining like a king."
The logical part of her was dead under the copious amounts of alcohol and sexual tension. This man knew how to touch her, and she was on the road to ruin. Her shoes clicked as the heels secured against the back of the chair.
It was a fuzzy euphoria, where her voice carried around the room. Time was an escapable concept.
"Bloody fuck, we eat at the table!" A stern voice interrupted her enjoyment.
Hermione snapped her vision to the doorway, and her logical mortification escaped her. "Hello, Severus," she waved with a grin.
Sirius pulled away from her and sneered at him. "Get over it."
Hermione sat up and huffed. "Sirius, get me up to bed?"
Sirius was about to retort when he shot up, nearly knocking her sideways. He raced to the sink and vomited with a wretched sound. Hermione grimaced and huffed. "Sirius, that's going to make me sick."
Severus snorted and picked up her knickers. "Let's get you up to bed, Hermione."
Hermione grimaced and shook her head. "I don't want to try and climb all those bloody stairs."
"Salazar help me," Severus groaned as he walked over, yanking the witch from the table.
Hermione wrapped her arm around his shoulders. "Sirius, I'm going up to bed."
Sirius stood up and wiped his mouth. "Sorry, I ruined dessert, love," he groaned.
"Take a potion and sleep it off, Black," Severus grunted and carried the witch from the room.
Hermione's heels slid off her feet as the Potion Master carried the nearly dozing witch to her floor. He glanced down at her as she curled into his chest. "Thank you for caring about me, Severus," she sighed.
He walked into her bedroom and set her on the bed. He flicked his wand at her dress, and it slithered down her form. Hermione wriggled and grumbled as she attempted to climb into the sheets. Severus ignored her nude form and assisted the struggling witch.
"You'll need a potion and some water when you wake," he told her as he stroked her curls.
Hermione gave him a sleepy smile and pressed her fingers over his hand. "Thank you for letting me be a bit immature tonight."
He smirked and shrugged. "You have rather rambunctious friends."
"You could be one of us," she yawned.
"I know," he breathed. "But you have to want me to. I'll do as you need."
"Really?" she whispered as her eyes shut.
"Of course. You're the reason we're all here."
"Good."
That was the last of the conversation as she dozed. Severus breathed and picked up the dress from the floor, setting it on the chair. It was lovely on her. He set her knickers over it and left the room, maneuvering down to the dining room once again. Sirius was sitting at the table with a glass of water and a cigarette.
"Had your fun for the evening?" Severus grumbled.
Sirius smirked at him. "Shame you and my stomach got in the way. I can't drink like I used to. Mixed too much."
Severus sat down and sneered at the animagus. "What you did was irresponsible."
"Okay, dad," Sirius snickered as he ashed his cigarette in the tray. "She needed to let off a little steam."
"Next time, do so in the bedroom," Severus voiced.
"Jealous?" Sirius snorted.
"No, it would waste my emotional energy. She's going to decide what she wants, and tonight she wanted to be desired by Sirius Black," Snape grumbled.
"Why couldn't you wait?"
"Because you were spiraling. You sleep with her drunk, and she'll be upset," Severus huffed. "You do so sober, and she'll be elated."
Sirius raised his glass with a nod. "Thanks, Snape."
"I did it for her, not you," he retorted. "Sober up and go to bed. We have an early day tomorrow."
"How so?" Sirius hummed.
"We're going to meet Harry with the children. I need to talk to him," Snape said as he stood up.
Sirius took a considerable drag before nodding. "Let's not tell him about tonight, alright?"
"Gladly," Severus responded.
"Good night, Snape."
"Good night, Black."
