Sirius came to sit in front of Hermione. Looking up she noticed the purple rings that have come to reside under Sirius's eyes. He looked so tired as if he had gone days without sleep. Reaching out a hand to hold his, Hermione looked into his eyes. The dark pools filled with sorrow, helplessness and pain from his many years in Azkaban. Sirius lifted his gaze to meet that of Hermione. She gave him a small smile and he spoke softly.

"You know I'm always here if you....if you want to talk." His gaze traveled from her face to their hands closed around each others. "I can tell that you're having inner battles. Its always helps to let someone know how you feel. But if you don't want to....."

"Do you really care about what goes on in the mind of a sixteen year old girl?" Hermione asked timidly. "It's not important...."

"Everything is so important. Every little thing is important. You're important. I care about what you have to say. I really do, 'Mione." The nickname given to her by Harry and Ron made her smile. Hermione sighed and started to speak.

"It's funny, ya know. Every year for the past six years of my life has been the same. Get the shit kicked out of me, get on the train, meet Harry and Ron and act as if I had the greatest summer of my life, work my ass off in school. Why? Why do I work so hard? I sometimes think that if I try so hard and get grades way above average my father would start to think of me as a person, a person with hope and dreams and feelings...I so badly want him to think of me as his daughter." She said not bothering to wipe the tears that were slowly cascading down her cheeks. "I just want him to know that no matter how much her hurts me I will ALWAYS love him."

"How can you still say that you love him after all he's done to you, Hermione?" Sirius said sadly. "He said things to you. Evil things and hurt you. How can you still say that you love him?"

"I will always care about him. I love him not matter what he does to me. Can't you see that? He gave me life, Sirius. His blood flows through my veins...." Hermione said softly. "No matter how much I try to hate him memories come back of me and him. He gave me a ring and on the inside it had Hermione- Always Daddy's little girl. I-I just miss him. The way he used to be. Everything was wonderful when Mom was alive. We were the perfect family. I only wanted to be loved, to have someone to hold me when I'm afraid, comfort me when I'm upset, be with me when I'm lonely. All I want is to be loved." Hermione looked up at Sirius with a tear streaked face. A memory comes to her. "I remember back in first year. Ron was horrible to me and I spent the day in the loo crying and I came out of the stall and there was a troll. Ron and Harry saved me. That started a friendship, a strong one. I felt truly excepted for one time in my life. I felt like someone cared about me. I tagged along on all there adventures and for the most part saved them from detention to failing classes. Now I have family. People who love me. People I love..." As she said this she looked straight at Sirius. Not thinking Sirius leaned in and softly pressed his lips to those of Hermione's. Hermione returned the kiss she so badly wanted. Hungrily Sirius slid his tongue over Hermione's lips begging entrance. She slowly opened her mouth allowing Sirius full access. After about three minutes they broke the kiss. Hermione's lips swallow and pink she gave Sirius a small smile. Sirius realizing what he'd done automatically shot out apologies just to be silenced by Hermione's lips on his.