It was Sunday night, and the guests had all cleared out. Hermione was sitting at the bar with Pansy as Blaise poured them drinks. Sirius was wiping down tables and sweeping the floor. Why he insisted on being there that entire weekend through Hermione, he watched and observed while prowling the floor as a proxy bouncer.
The Muses had all counted their tips and left. The other girls had already de-Blame'd and headed home. The only person left to hassle anyone was Gilderoy, who was up in his office.
Hermione sighed as she set down her bounty. "Not a bad night for a Sunday. How about you, Parkinson?" she questioned with a smirk.
Pansy groaned and moved to sit next to Hermione's large stack. "You're a menace, you know?"
"I know," Hermione laughed.
"He's lingering. You should talk to him," Blaise whispered to Hermione.
Hermione glanced back to see Sirius fiddling with clean tables. "Sirius, aren't you going home soon? It's going to be three in the morning."
Sirius rolled his shoulders and padded over. "Shortly. Just making sure you get home safe."
"Gallant as ever," Pansy snickered. "Since you're waiting for her, I'm gonna bounce. We're headed over to Blaise's."
Hermione jerked. "Really?"
Pansy jumped from the counter and nodded. "Yeah, we were going to walk you out, but he's waiting."
Hermione shook her head and tugged on her arm. "No, wait."
"Nope," Pansy laughed and snatched her cache up before waving at her boyfriend. "Let's go."
Hermione put her bills into the deposit bag and winced. "Lockhart can lock-up!" Blaise shouted as they left.
Sirius sat down next to Hermione and smiled. "So, what do you have plans for tomorrow?"
Hermione shrugged and exhaled before sipping her glass. "Nothing truly, no."
"Want to come back with me? You worked hard tonight. Moony can make breakfast in the morning."
Hermione's cheeks warmed as she eyed him. "You want me to come back to your place?"
Sirius touched her cheek and nodded. "I can get you something better than the swill that man makes," he teased.
She leaned to him, and his thumb traced her chin. Was she going to do it?
"Lovely, are you ready to leave?" Gilderoy's voice thundered over the empty club.
Hermione yanked from Sirius and crawled over the bar. "Yes, let me just put the glass in the sink."
Sirius grabbed her bag off the ground and her tips. "Whenever you're ready, love."
Hermione smiled and walked around the counter just as Gilderoy walked into the room. "I thought we could get food?"
"Sirius wants to assist me with moving some furniture," Hermione lied.
Sirius tilted his head and inwardly groaned. Why would she have to lie to him?
Lockhart sighed and nodded. "Of course, darling. Let's head out."
They wandered through the back and to the exit. Gilderoy scowled as Hermione and Sirius lingered at the door. He went to his expensive blue car and waved before climbing inside. Hermione turned to Sirius, and her cheeks tinted. "So, do you want me to come over?" Hermione murmured.
Sirius bobbed his head and gestured to his car. "I can drive if you want. I know you're bushed."
She smiled and nodded. "Alright."
Sirius skipped over to his car, opening his passenger's door. Hermione walked over and smirked before climbing in. "Thank you," she said.
He placed her duffle in the backseat and secretly wondered if she was expecting it. Sirius got into the driver's seat, and they drove off. The blue vehicle sat in the parking lot.
Hermione was sighing as Sirius sat at the edge of the tub and rubbing her feet. She thought it might have been odd, but reminded herself several times over he'd seen her naked on stage. Sirius hummed and rolled his neck as he worked.
"Sirius, why did you make excuses all weekend to be at the club when you could have been working?" Hermione asked.
Sirius smirked and rolled his eyes. "I was interested to see what it was like when I wasn't a part of the riff-raff."
"Sometimes you surprise me," Hermione laughed.
Sirius exhaled and shrugged. "Can I ask you what's between you and Gildy?"
Hermione winced and crowded the bubbles to her chest. "Nothing, he's just my boss."
"I would believe you if you didn't grimace," Sirius exhaled. "It's fine. You don't need to tell me."
Hermione breathed and bent toward the side of the tub. "Sirius, I never slept with him. He wanted to, many times, but I never did. It's a difficult line to walk."
"Okay, an easier question then because this sounds like something that's going to make me beat the shit out of him," Sirius grumbled as he let her feet go. "When's the last time you shagged?"
Hermione held up a finger and reached for her drink. She gulped down her ale and nodded. "Okay, I haven't shagged in three years."
Sirius blinked. "What?"
She snorted and reached for Sirius's drink. "Not since my awful ex," Hermione grumbled before swigging down his. "Okay, I think I'm just enough there, to be honest."
"Honest about what?"
Hermione waved her hand and set the empty glass on the ground. "It wasn't that I wasn't able to have sex. I just don't see the point. It's always been fast and boring, so I never saw the point."
"Wait," Sirius held out his hand. "Hold a tick. Are you saying you've never had an orgasm?"
"I've had orgasms before, Sirius," Hermione said with a pointed stare.
"You've had a man give you an orgasm?" Sirius inquired.
Hermione lost her cool and huffed. "Well, no."
Sirius groaned and scrubbed his face. "That's ridiculous."
"It isn't like I'm missing much. I have a flatmate who shags her boyfriend all the time, and I'm positive she's faking it most days. Between the yowling," Hermione stopped as her cheeks tinted.
Sirius scooted on the rim and frowned at her. "Hermione, love. That's just wrong. You deserve to know what it means to feel the enjoyment of a good shag."
Hermione rolled her eyes and shifted in the tub. "Don't be ridiculous."
Sirius stood up and yanked off his shirt. It wasn't until he started to unbutton his pants that Hermione gasped. "Sirius, what are you doing?"
"I'm gonna come in there," He announced when dropping his pants to the ground.
"Wait, no, why?" Hermione snapped as she covered her face.
Sirius smirked as he dropped his boxers. She couldn't help it and glanced through her fingers. Hermione's cheeks tinted as she bundled toward the back of the tub. "Because, love, I'm not opposed to getting on your level," he said while sliding into the bathtub.
Hermione avoided looking at him as she looked away. "This isn't appropriate."
"I've seen you naked, not a big deal for you to see me," Sirius reminded her as his feet slid next to her.
"I suppose," Hermione sighed as she relaxed.
The man was quite handsome with his speckled chest hair over wild tattoos. The trail that led down to his hips. The flexing of his wonderfully toned muscles. It was enough to make a nun blush. Hermione couldn't believe it, and her cheeks were flaming. She hadn't seen a man this attractive naked before in her life.
"You look nervous. You have the same expression Moony when he watches you dance," Sirius snickered.
She gazed away from him. "Remus wouldn't be happy about this."
Sirius arched an eyebrow and tilted his head. "You have a thing for my best mate?"
"Well, no, uh, I'm not sure," Hermione stumbled.
Sirius rolled his shoulders and manipulated her in the bathtub, so her back was to him. "Well, do you plan on shagging him? He had a certain awkwardness. You think you have it bad. He hasn't shagged in several years."
"How do you know that?"
Sirius fluttered his fingers on the water and then got to work on her shoulders. "Well, when I first moved in, I used to find us girls. I mean, the bloke was still pretty shabby from his wife, but nothing says working through things without a threesome. It was a great way for him to work out shit and not feel obligated to be her sole entertainment."
Hermione glared back at him, grinning. "That's not funny."
"I'm not laughing," he said.
"That's grimy, Sirius," Hermione huffed.
"Says you," Sirius snorted. "Moony, he's complicated. He has a hard time connecting. I like to support."
"Are you in love with your best friend?" Hermione questioned.
Sirius tilted her face toward him and frowned. "Not in the way that you think. I love him and plan on taking care of him for the rest of my life. He's had it hard, harder than most. When Dora died, I jumped to it so that he wouldn't rot. He's a wonderful friend, and made sure that when I was battered and beaten as a child, I was bandaged up."
Hermione exhaled and pulled his arms around her. "You're a good friend, Sirius."
He chuckled and nuzzled her cheek. "Love, you're an odd creature."
The door opened and Remus yawned as he was rubbing his eyes. He was nude and quite attractive if Hermione said so herself. He had this natural look to his form, with curvatures in all the right places. That only brought color to her cheeks.
"Jesus, Pads, it's like four in the morning," he grumbled while wandering to the toilet.
"Moony, be sure you hide your tender bits walking back this way," Sirius declared as he pulled away from Hermione.
She hid her face among her curls as Remus yawned again. "Now, why would I need," he paused just as he stopped pissing. "Hermione?"
"Yes, Remus," Hermione groaned.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," he hummed.
"You didn't, Moony. We were just washing the Blame off us," Sirius snickered.
Remus finished and snatched the towel off the rack. "I am sorry," he huffed.
Hermione glanced over at him and smiled. "Did you want some early morning hotcakes?"
He shifted in the towel and scratched his chest. "I'm a bit tired, but I suppose that wouldn't be too bad of an idea."
She stood up in the water, and his eyes grew. "Alright, then early-early breakfast it is," she paused and smiled down at Sirius. "Come on, let's go."
Sirius chuckled and stood up, scooping her from the water. "Alright, love. Let's get you some clothes so Moony can look at you," he said while trying to get out of the bathtub.
Hermione groaned and manipulated in his grip, reaching the floor. "Don't think I can't get out of a ridiculous situation."
Remus cleared his throat before reaching for a towel for her. "There you go, Hermione," he mumbled.
She took the towel and wrapped her body. "Thank you, Remus. I'm going to go get into some clothes. I'll see you both in the kitchen," Hermione declared before leaving the room.
"Pads, why is she here?" Remus murmured.
Sirius arched an eyebrow as he climbed from the shower. "Because I brought her home. You want to snuggle with her after breakfast?"
Remus glowered and waved an index finger at the dripping man. "Don't you dare," he hissed.
"Oh, she wants to, trust me. I don't even mind skipping out on that one," Sirius winked.
"Stop it," Remus snapped.
"No, it's happening, and you're going to enjoy it. Maybe that little crush you harbor will culminate into something," Sirius snickered with a smile.
Remus passed by him and reached the door. "Don't ruin a good thing," he mumbled and left.
Sirius sighed and scrubbed his face. How was he going to convince Remus that it wasn't in his head? Well, breakfast and some well-deserved sleep might solve the issue.
Hermione yawned and snuggled closer to the warmth next to her. Where was she? She glanced around and saw bookcases surrounding the walls. Her eyes trailed on the bare chest of Remus as his face was smashed in the soft pillow. Another arm was around her, and she glanced back to see the tattooed man had settled behind her.
Did they fell asleep watching films? Films, hotcakes, and beer. An interesting combination. She leaned further on Remus to check the night table clock. It was one in the afternoon.
"Are you trying to wake me up?" Remus grumbled.
Hermione smirked and traced a finger up his chest. It was an intimate move, but she was fond of his timidness. She frowned and stopped on a few silver scars. "What's this?"
Remus chuckled and grunted. "That tickles," he sighed. "An old childhood trauma."
"That explains the gashes on your forehead and nose?" Hermione asked.
He turned his face and stared at her through sleepy eyes. "Mhm, yes."
"Can I ask you a serious question," She winced at the pun.
Remus bobbed his head and touched her cheek. "Of course, what is it?"
"Do you have more interest in me than watching me take off my clothes?" Hermione asked as she looked away.
Remus tilted his head and moved to sit up more. "I think Sirius and I both value your friendship quite a bit."
"Alright," she sighed.
The arm around her tightened, and Sirius tugged her to the mattress. "Mm, you're cute in the morning, love," Sirius grumbled over her and kissed her cheek.
Hermione's cheeks glowed in the dim light as she looked up at him. "Good afternoon, Sirius."
He reached over for some water and sipped it before humming. "Alright, now my breath is tolerable."
Before she could ask further, Sirius bent down and kissed her lips. She squeaked, but then melted as her arms curled around his shoulders. He knew quite a few ways to light a woman's fire, that was certain.
Sirius pulled away and smirked. "I've been dying to do that for a week," he snickered.
Hermione breathed and beamed. "Alright, I'm going to find something to get dressed in. Why don't you two decide what we're doing this afternoon?"
The woman twisted on the bed and kissed Remus's cheek before crawling from the mattress. She waved innocently with a bright smile before leaving the bedroom. Remus glared at Sirius, who was moving closer.
"Don't be angry with me, you were about to be friend-zoned for life," Sirius murmured as he patted Remus's chest.
"That was a horrible idea," Remus spat. "That doesn't mean she still won't place me there."
Sirius grunted and rolled his neck. "I just saved your ass. It seems to me she'd be open to it, Moony. Get used to it. I think you're allotted a bit of joy."
Remus climbed from the mattress and groaned. "Padfoot, just stop, please?"
"With or without you, I'm doing this. She fancies us a lot. Enough to have me drive her all the way out here just to spend the night. This girl needs us."
"Why?" Remus huffed.
"Because she's like us, Moony. Battered and bruised with a bit of sadness. Do you really think I'd be suggesting this if she wasn't? Plus, if Lockhart tries to fuck her again, I'm going to kill the fuck," Sirius growled.
Remus pivoted toward his friend with a narrowed expression. "He did? She didn't reciprocate?"
"No, she balled up and tried to hide when I mentioned him. Whatever he did, it wasn't sound. I tried it your way. I tried keeping a distance, but I realized something. We are going to end up exactly where we're avoiding to go. We're going to end up keeping this stray, Moony."
"We are?" Remus asked as he ran a hand through his hair. "Shit doesn't work like this, Sirius."
"No, but it's happening. Are you in or not? We have a week to decide before we're seen as just authoritative figures at the club. I'd prefer to have a set concept before she changes her mind."
Remus twitched his nose and breathed.
"Fellas?" Hermione called through the door.
"Come in, love," Sirius replied.
Hermione walked inside the room and shifted on her feet. "Do you, can," she paused and breathed. "I just received a text from my friend. She wants me to come over. Do you think you can drop me off? It's about ten minutes from here."
Sirius sat up and nodded. "Sure, love. Whatever you need."
Hermione twirled a curl in her finger and exhaled. "Alright."
"Did you want us to stay with you, so you don't feel trapped?" Remus asked.
Her eyes met his, and she breathed. "That would be so relieving. That isn't an inconvenience, is it?"
"Not in the least. We'll get dressed and go," Remus said with a nod.
She skipped over and stood on her tip-toes to kiss his cheek. "Thank you, Remus."
"We'll be out soon," Sirius chuckled.
Hermione waved and skipped from the room. Remus exhaled and folded his arms. "Alright, but I'm not promising anything, Sirius."
"Me either, Moony. I'm just letting her draw the lines," Sirius chuckled and swung his feet from the sheets. "Let's get going."