Chapter 6: Truths and Lies
Sirius woke to someone pounding. Looking at the watch he wore, it was after 9:00. How had he slept so late? Getting up he slid his feet into his slippers, looked in the mirror to make sure he actually had some clothes on and headed for the door. "I'm coming." Opening the door, he found Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. "Come on in." He said standing aside so they could enter.
Ron flopped in the wing-backed chair by the window, "When you weren't at breakfast we got worried, so we thought we'd pay you a visit."
Sirius noticed how everyone was staring at him, and then he remembered he'd climbed out of bed to answer the door. Which meant he was dressed in only the lightweight blue flannel pants he slept in. Glancing over at Hermione, she was licking her lips. "Sorry, guess I overslept. I'm going to go get dressed, make yourselves at home." He turned and went back into the bedroom. A couple minutes later the friends heard the shower come on, run a few minutes, and then shut off. Hermione's breath caught when Sirius returned to the sitting area dressed in faded blue jeans, a lightweight pale blue sweater and blue and white trainers. His hair was still damp from his shower and he smelled like soap and spice. It was all she could do not to go to where he stood and sniff him. "What's up for the day?"
"Well..." Ron started "We thought we could just hang out for a while with you, if it's okay. Then when Harry and I have Quidditch practice, and Ginny has tutoring maybe you and Hermione could find something to do and we could meet back up around 5 for dinner."
Sirius looked around and everyone seemed to be in agreement with Ron's account of the day. Sitting down in a chair, "Sure, that's fine with me, but sometime today I need to stop by Professor Dumbledore's office and pick up a book." The group decided for the next little while they would just hang out in Sirius' room. Ginny was reading a book, Sirius and Ron playing wizards chess while Harry and Hermione watched.
Hermione knew she needed to talk to Harry and decided now was as good a time as any. "Harry? Can I talk to you privately for a few minutes?" She asked as the others looked up when the stillness was disrupted.
"Sure." He stood and looked at Sirius, "Can we use your bedroom?" When his godfather nodded his consent both Harry and Hermione entered the room; closed the door, as Ginny mouthed good luck to her best friend. Harry saw this action and wondered why Hermione would need luck, they were friends, and there was nothing she couldn't say to him.
Closing the door, Harry motioned for her to sit in one of the chairs by the fireplace. Though he'd been in this room several times he was amazed at how big Sirius' bedroom was. There was a full size bed in the middle of the far wall, with nightstands on each side that contained various pictures, both moving and muggle style, to the left was a dresser next to the bathroom door, in a cabinet against the wall to the right of the bed was several objects that Sirius picked up when he was on the run. At the foot was a fireplace with two chairs and a small coffee table. He noticed Hermione was looking around as well; it was the first time she'd been in his sleeping quarters. "Nice room isn't it?"
"Yes it is and big too." She got up and walked over to get a closer look at the pictures. There were three of Harry and Sirius, two of Harry, Ron and herself, one of James and Lily, one of the four Marauders, a group shot of everyone that had been at Grimmauld Place and a couple others she didn't know who was in them. She picked up one that was hiding in the back; it was one of Sirius and herself. She remembered that day, they were at Sirius' home and Molly Weasley had just scolded one of the twins for something. He was sitting next to her and both were laughing at Molly. Looking at the picture made her smile. "Where did this come from? I didn't know anyone had a camera that day?" She looked one more time at the photograph and returned it to its place on the nightstand.
"I think Remus took it. He showed it to Sirius one day while we were in Greece and he asked for a copy. He said it was one of the few times that summer he remembered actually being happy." Harry said, and he again motioned for her to take a seat. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Hermione took a deep breath as she sat, curled her feet up under herself and slowly let the breath out. "I need to tell you something and I don't know how you are going to take it. I do want you to know, that I have thought this through very carefully and it's not some schoolgirl thing. So please listen to everything I have to say before you say anything. Okay?" Harry shook his head and she continued, "I started having feelings for someone a few years ago. I thought at first it was just a crush. He's older and worldlier than I. At first I thought that might be the reason I was feeling what I was. Then I got to know him and I realized it was more than that. Some things happened and I wasn't able to see him for a long time, I thought the feelings had died, but I've seen him again and I know now that the emotions are still there and stronger. I haven't told him yet because I wanted to make sure what I'm feeling is love, which I'm sure it is. Plus I wanted to talk to my family and to you. I need to make sure my parents and my best friend are going to be okay and give me their blessing." She stopped speaking and looked up to see Harry smiling with his brilliant green eyes laughing. "What's so funny Harry Potter? I'm spilling my soul out to you and you're laughing at me?" She was almost in tears.
Harry moved closer to her, took her hands in his own, "Mione, I'm not laughing at you, but I already know. I've known for a while now!"
"You know what?" She asked in complete astonishment.
"I know you are in love and I know who you are in love with and you both have my blessing." He answered.
Hermione just kept staring at him. How could he know? "Harry, you may know I have feelings for someone but there is no way you can know who?"
Harry moved to sit on the table directly in front of her, "I know because I heard a conversation you and Ginny were having." She looked up and he saw fear and maybe a little anger in her eyes. He continued, "Now don't get upset. Ron and I were coming down the steps into the common room and we heard you and Ginny talking. We didn't want to interrupt you, I know we shouldn't have been listening, but… I'm sorry."
"So you really know and Ron knows?" She asked.
"Yeah, we both know." She looked away from him, but he took her face in his hand and turned it back so he could look her in the eyes, "We both know and we are both okay with it. We know you are in love with Sirius and it's fine."
Tears began to flow again. She hugged her friend, "You're sure you are okay with this?"
"Yeah I am. I just want both of you to be happy. Now the question is, when are you going to tell him?" Harry asked returning to his chair.
"That's where the big problem comes in. I don't know how to tell him. What if he doesn't feel the same way? I don't know if I could handle telling him and him telling me I am nothing but a mental kid." Hermione said and Harry could see the fear in her eyes.
Again Harry thought before he spoke, "I can't say I know how he feels about you. I know he cares and he has a true respect for you. From some things I saw yesterday and some glances I've seen him cast your direction, I'd say the idea has at least crossed his mind. Hermione, just tell him. He would never hurt you on purpose."
The pair talked for a few more minutes than returned to the others. As they entered the living area, Ginny looked questioning at her friend. Hermione smiled and gave a small thumb up sign. They both sat down and Sirius looked at Harry, "Everything okay?"
"Couldn't be better," was all Harry said. They group spent the hour talking and playing chess. Around 11:15 they decided if they were going to have lunch before Quidditch practice they had better get to the great hall. They kids went to their table as Sirius made his way to the staff table, but not before telling Hermione he would meet her on the stairs in the entry hall at 12:15.
During lunch Hermione kept looking up to where Sirius was sitting. She would then look to Harry. She seemed to be drawing strength from him. The last time she looked up to the staff table she saw Sirius had stood and was leaving with headmaster Dumbledore. She figured he was going to get the book and would meet her as planned.
12:10 Hermione made her way to the entry hall. Sirius was already there talking to Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan. She waited a little while before approaching the trio. They all said their hellos and then Neville and Seamus left to meet up with a couple Hufflepuff girls. Sirius turned to Hermione and said, "Well I guess it's just us, what would you like to do?"
Deciding it was time to make her move, she looked up at him and replied. "I really would like to talk to you. To tell you something, is there someplace we could go and talk. Someplace where no one will find or disturb us?"
He was really curious as to what she might want to say, but in the back of his mind, Sirius had a good idea what it was. He just wasn't sure how he was going to react. "Sure I know a place. James, Remus and I found it the last year we were here. I went there a couple days ago and it didn't look like anyone else had found it." They made their way out the front doors and around the back of the castle. Off to the left of the kitchen door was an old statue. Sirius looked around to make sure no one was watching them mumbled something she couldn't make out and the marble sculpture moved a foot or so. Sirius slid in and reached for her hand. "It's really dark in here so stay close and don't let go of my hand until we get through this passage." He them spoke again and the outside light faded and it was pitch black.
Hermione held tightly to Sirius' hand until they came to an open area. She could tell it was an open space because the air changed it became lighter. A minute later he let go of her, "stand still until I get the oil lamps lit."
Slowly the room began to fill with a soft glow. She glanced around to find a room with a table and two chairs, a couch, two overstuffed chairs and bookshelves. "Wow, this is great. How did you find it?"
Sirius just shrugged. He went to a small cooler that stood in the dark corner at the end of the room. "Would you like something to drink?" He took out a couple bottles of water and sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs. "Have a seat. Relax, make yourself at home." He saw the hesitation on her face. "It's okay, like I told you know one knows about this place. It was messy and dirty when I came down here a few days ago. I cleaned it up. Thought it would be a great place to get away from it all." He watched as she sat in the other chair. She was looking everywhere but at him. Finally he leaned forward and caught her attention, "You wanted to talk to me, want to tell me what it is? I can't help if I don't know."
"It's not something you need to help with. I don't see it as a problem…what I want to talk to you about. I just don't know where and how to start." She looked straight into his dark fathomless eyes. Something told her he knew what was about to happen but he sat still for a few minutes.
Then he positioned himself back in his chair, took a long slow drink of his water, "Why don't you start wherever and whenever you want."
Hermione took a deep breath. "Okay, but first you have to promise me something? Guarantee me you won't say anything until I'm completely finished?" He indicated his agreement and she went on. "I love you. I've been in love with you for a long time." She watched him. He didn't move, didn't flinch, didn't frown, and didn't give any indication of what was going on in his mind. She realized he was going to be true to his word and not say anything until she finished. "I think I've had feelings for you since the first time we met. As afraid of you as I was in the Shrieking Shack, something in your eyes told me you wouldn't hurt me. Then when Harry and I rescued you and Buckbeak, you were so gentle and kind. I've been falling in love with you for years." Hermione sat more relaxed in the chair and watched him again. He was still sitting calmly, looking at her with several emotions running across his face. "I first knew my feelings weren't just a crush when we were all at Grimmauld Place. Those nights when you would let me come and talk with you while you stayed with Buckbeak. Times when everyone would be around the table, but you and I would be talking quietly about muggle things. Mostly I started to feel real love for you when we'd just sit in the quiet of the library after everyone had gone to bed. I knew then that something was happening with my feelings for you. I liked what I was feeling. It made me feel special, but it also hurt because I knew you just thought of me as a kid, Harry's friend." She stopped there for a minute and took a drink of her water. Her throat was dry.
She went on, "It was okay though. As long as you were around, I got to see you and be near you once in a while I was fine. I could control what I felt. Then the battle with Voldemort came and you fell through the veil. We all thought you were dead. I was crushed." Tears began to form in her eyes. Sirius' heart was aching for her as he watched her wipe away a tear with one hand and pat her heart with the other, as if trying to ease the pain of reliving it all over again. "I mourned you; I really grieved. No one knew why your death had hit me so hard. I cried all the time. I was depressed for weeks. They knew we were friends but they didn't know the depths of my feelings. I think it hit me as hard as it did Harry. To know the one man I truly loved was now dead and I couldn't tell him how I felt or say good-bye. Then when we heard you were clear and alive my heart soared. It was a very emotional roller coaster. I decided when they told us you were alive that I was going to try and put my feelings away. Just be a friend, but when I saw you at Kings Cross that spring I knew I wouldn't be able too. The when you were here, I again thought I could get over you, but you walked out that first night and you looked so handsome. You had built yourself up, cut your hair, made yourself look like you did in pictures I'd seen. I fell in love all over again that night. I decided that day I didn't want to get over you. I wanted to love you. I thought long and hard about what a life with you could be like. Then I talked to my parents, explained my feelings. They heard my reasons and my thoughts. They gave me all the reasons I shouldn't love you, but in the end they knew what I feel isn't lust, or a crush it's love and they gave me their blessing. This morning I talked to Harry and again I expected some opposition, but he just said I had to do what made me happy. He told me that all he wanted was for both of us to be happy and if loving each other was it, then he was all for it. When I talked to my parents we talked about the age difference. I think that was their biggest reservation, but it doesn't matter to me. So there, I've said what I wanted to say. I know you think I'm just a ridiculous teenager and I don't expect you to feel the same, I don't expect any thing from you, but I had to tell you. I couldn't hold it in anymore." She sat back in her chair and looked at her feet. She couldn't look at him right now. She was afraid if she did, his face would be showing what a silly little girl he thought she was.
Sirius sat in his chair completely dumbstruck. She had put a lot of thought into this, especially if she had already talked to her parents and Harry. He wasn't sure what to say to her. So very quietly he said, "I don't think you are a ridiculous teenager. I think you're a beautiful, sexy, vivacious, intelligent young woman. Any man would be proud to be loved by you."
She looked over at him, but couldn't read his expression. He was so good at hiding what he felt. "I don't give a damn about other men." She snapped and instantly regretted it. "I'm sorry I shouldn't jump on you. I just said I didn't expect anything. I know you don't feel the same and it's okay. I'll get over it, I just wanted to tell you." She started to get up, but couldn't, his hand was holding her in place. She pushed it away as if his touch burnt her.
Sirius moved to sit on the floor in front of her. "Hermione, give me a minute to take in everything you've said. You've had time to prepare, I haven't." He looked down at his hands, "and I didn't say I didn't care about you. That I don't have feelings for you, so don't put words in my mouth that isn't there. Okay?" He looked up to see her shake her head. Seeing her so vulnerable tore at him. He knew he was falling for her; he just wanted to take it slow. He decided then and there that she was being honest and open with him: he would do the same with her. He stood on his knees, took her hands in his and made her look into his eyes. "Hermione…I do care about you and I have feelings for you. Feelings I've been fighting for months. Feelings that came flooding back when I saw you the first night of school. Yesterday when we were at Hogsmeade was one of the best days I've had in a long time, just to be able to spend time alone with you again. I do think about the age difference. I sometimes wonder why a sexy young thing like you would want an old man like me" He saw her begin to protest, but held up his hand for her to stop. When he saw she was listening and some of the fear had left her eyes, he went on "What I'm asking is, can we see each other, and take the relationship things slow. I don't want you to get hurt and I don't want to get hurt. I want to spend time together, do things together and see where it leads. In time we'll both know for sure if a relationship between us is right and we can plan more then." Still on his knees, he pulled her into a soft embrace. He held her for several seconds, before kissing her lightly on the head and sitting back down on the floor. "Can we do that?"
Hermione popped up and sat down on the floor beside him, "Yes, we can. We can take them as slow as you want. I know I just sprung this on you, I know you need time. I'm just thrilled that you are willing to explore what is happening between us."
"You know we can't show anything in public either." He looked around, "So this will have to be where we go to be alone together." Sirius looked at his watch and saw they still had an hour before meeting Ron, Harry and Ginny for dinner. He got up, helped Hermione up and showed her rest of the little room. Off to one side was another room, he told her about it, sometimes he and James would sneak away at night and sleep there. He also gave her the password to get in so she could come anytime she wanted. They returned to sit on the sofa next to each other and talked. They talked about everything. Sirius smiled to himself when he absentmindedly found himself playing with her fingers. He loved the feeling of her small perfect hand in his. When it was time to leave, they moved towards the door. Sirius looked down at the lovely lady in front of him and hugged her tightly. She was in heaven she'd waited so long to be in his arms like this. Loosening his hold he said, "Ready to go?"
Smiling she answered, "No, but we have too, and Sirius, I know we are taking things slow, so you can figure it all out, but I have to say it one more time. I do love you."
Sirius smiled and gave the password for the statue to open. He looked around before slipping out and she followed. They made their way back around to the front of the castle just in time to meet Harry and Ron. The four went to the great hall for dinner. Ginny was there waiting for them. Sirius spoke to the students for a few minutes then, lightly touched Hermione on the shoulder, before heading to the staff table. To an onlooker it would have looked like and innocent touch from a teacher to a student, but she knew what his touch meant.
Ginny looked at her with questioning eyes as they ate. Finally she couldn't take anymore, she leaned in as close as she could and whispered, "So? Did you tell him?" this got the attention of Harry and Ron. They both leaned in to hear her reply. Harry had told Ron about his and Hermione's earlier conversation.
Hermione laughed at the group gathered around her. She glanced up at Sirius who was giving her a mischievous grin. "Yes, I told him." She said still not looking at the group and it was clear she wasn't going to say more.
"Bloody hell, Hermione. What did he have to say?" Harry said a little to loudly. He continued much softer. "Sorry, what did he have to say? He didn't hurt you did he?" This time it was Harry's turn to look up at Sirius, but he was talking to Professor Dumbledore.
Hermione smiled even bigger. "Okay, okay. No, Harry, he didn't hurt me. We talked about it for a while. I told him exactly how I felt and he listened. Then he told me he did have feelings for me. He also said we could work on a relationship, but he wants to take it slow, see how things develop. Make sure neither of us gets hurt. I understand that and I told him I could live with that. So we are going to take things slow and see what the results are. That's all there is to it. End of discussion." With one look she made it very clear she didn't want to talk anymore about it right then. Harry just figured he'd talk to Sirius later and get the scoop.
Almost a week passed and Sirius and Hermione hadn't been able to spend any time alone. They had been together in class and with the others but no time just the two of them. She stayed after class one day and asked if they could spend sometime over the weekend. They agreed to spend most of Saturday together. He had a meeting early in the morning, but should be free before 10:00, but she had a meeting at 10:00 and they would meet in the room he and James had found at noon. She would bring them lunch.
Saturday arrived and Sirius went to breakfast as always. Afterwards he talked to Harry for a few minutes before his staff meeting. After the meeting he had a little over two hours before he could meet Hermione so he decided to go to the staff library and read some of the book Professor Dumbledore had given him. Settling into a large chair away from everyone he started to read. An hour or so later he turned the page and a piece of parchment fell out. It looked old, but he didn't' think anything of it until he went to pick it up. Normally he wouldn't have looked at something that wasn't his, but this particular parchment had landed open on the floor, when he leaned over to retrieve it he saw his name. Studying what was written he was shocked at what he saw. He sat there reading and rereading what was printed. Had his life been a lie, why wouldn't someone have told him if what the parchment said was true. He had to know the truth and he had to know it now. Sirius decided the only way to know was to ask. He was confused, hurt and even angry. He stormed out of the library and made his way to the Headmasters office. Saying the password the door opened and he stepped in. By the time the stairs had rotated and deposited him at the top he was even angrier. He should have known this as a child. Maybe if he had his life would have been a little easier.
Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were seated around the headmaster's desk when he thundered in and slammed the parchment down on the desk. "How long were you going to keep this from me? Was I to never know?"
Both professors looked at the paper being thrust at them, then looked at each other. Professor McGonagall turned white and mumbled, "Where did you get this?"
"Does it matter where I got it, I got it?" Sirius' eyes were shooting daggers at her.
"Sirius, son, sit down and let's talk about this calmly." Dumbledore said his voice as even as always.
Sirius bellowed, "I'm not your son and I sure as hell don't want to talk calmly about this. I want one and only one question answered. Is what's written there true?" He pointed to the paper lying on the desk.
Albus Dumbledore sat heavily in his chair as McGonagall turned to look out the window. She had wanted to tell him years ago, when he first came to Hogwarts, even before, but others had made it clear he was not to be told. As she stared out the window and the silence had become deafening. She finally turned to look at him, tears in her sad eyes. "Yes, it's true. Can we explain?"
Sirius shook his head. The world as he knew it was coming apart. He knew once the shock wore off that what was written there wouldn't be so bad, it might even be a good thing but right now he was furious. He had been lied to all his life. "No I don't want an explanation right now. You've known my whole life. So many things could have been different if you'd only told me. I have to get away from here." He snatched the parchment up and left the office.
"Sirius!" McGonagall called to him but he didn't even look back.
"Let him go, Minerva. When he's ready he'll come back and listen to what we have to say. Until then let him work it out." The Headmaster said, his voice refusing to be defeated.
"But he's alone." She said fear in her tone.
"He's not alone. He and Miss Granger have started seeing each other. She'll talk to him. Then there is always Harry, Ron and Remus. He'll be fine. Just give him some time. It won't take as long as you think for him to come seek us out again." The old man suddenly felt his age.
"Do you really think he will? You know Albus he could decide to leave Hogwarts and we might not ever see or hear from him." She smiled a sad smile. "He does have that family stubborn streak. Like someone else we both know and love."
Dumbledore looked at the woman across from him. "He won't leave Hogwarts. I'll venture to say he'll go to one of the hiding place he and James Potter found that he thinks no one knows about and work it all out. Hermione Granger will probably be there to help him through it and I'm sure he'll talk to Harry and Remus. I give him 3 days and he'll be back wanting a detailed explanation. Then it might take him a few days to understand why things were the way they were." Both professors sat in silence.
Sirius made his way around the castle and into the hidden room that he, Remus and James had found many years before. He lit the lamps and sat heavily in one of the chairs. There he remained just staring at the piece of parchment he held. How could everyone he had loved deceive him like this? His anger was slowly turning to hurt. So much anguish and sorrow in his life and now when he thought it was over and things might be brighter, this came out. How could they have lied to him all these years? He didn't know how long he had been sitting there, when he heard Hermione come in. He more sensed it than heard her. His mind was swimming out of control. He knew she was talking to him, but nothing was registering.
Hermione entered the room, she knew he was there because the lamps were lit, but it was very quiet, too quiet. "Sirius? Are you here?" She became worried when he didn't answer. Walking further into the room she saw the top of his head. He was sitting in the chair she was standing behind. She slowly walked around to look at him. The look in his eyes made her abandon the basket she carried and drop down in front of him. She saw pain, confusion and betrayal in his eyes, but it was as if he was looking right through her. She took his face in her hands to get his attention, "Sirius, what's wrong? Tell me."
He didn't say anything, he just handed her the paper he was holding. She sat on the table in front of him and began to read. As she studied the sheet he'd given her, her hand went to her mouth. "Oh my…Merlin…Where did you get this?" she asked him.
His voice was extremely quiet when he finally spoke, "They've bloody been lying to me. My whole life they've kept this from me. Why? Was I that awful as a child? Was I so bad that no one wanted me?" He was really beginning to doubt everything about the way he was brought up. He looked up and saw she had tears in her eyes as well, he knew she was upset because he was. "If I am so awful that I couldn't be told this years ago, how can you love me now?" He started to get up, but she wouldn't let him. He tried to pull away from her but she wouldn't let him do that either.
"Sirius, I love you because you are a wonderful man. You are kind, loving, giving, honest, fun, smart and so many other things. I'm sure there's a very good explanation as to why you weren't told. You just have to go to Professor Dumbledore and let him explain it to you. I'll go with you if you want." She was rubbing his arm with one hand and his cheek with the other, doing her best at trying to comfort him, but she also wanted him to see that there could be a good reason. She could see the hurt in his face and that made her ache. Waiting, he began to relax a little bit and his pain became fatigue. Hermione reached over took his hand and pulled him to the couch. They sat side by side for a long time not talking. Finally she felt him sigh heavily and shudder. Hermione turned and wrapped her arms around him. He laid his head on her shoulder and returned the embrace.
Hermione pulled back to look into his sad eyes. "Sirius, it will all work out. I'll be here with you if you want me too. I'll go with you to talk to Dumbledore and I'll be with you through it all."
"Of course I want you there. I think I might need the support, but not today okay? I need sometime to process this new information." He hugged her again, whispering into her hair, "Merlin, Hermione, when does my life get to be easy?"
"I don't know, but it will get better, I promise." She was making a promise both of them knew she couldn't fulfill, but she had to do something to cheer him up. She spotted the basket of food and decided it might help. "Are you hungry? You want to have lunch?"
"No, I don't think I feel like eating, but you go ahead. I think I want to just sit here and be quiet." He was looking off into space.
"Okay if you want to be alone, I'll leave." She said feeling a little dejected. She started to get up, but he reached for her hand.
"I didn't say I wanted to be alone. I want to be quiet. Please stay with me. Sit with me." He put his arm around her, "Let me hold you." She snuggled into his side and laid her arm across his washboard stomach and they sat with the only sound being their breathing for eternity. Sirius thought she might have gone to sleep when she hadn't moved in almost and hour, but when he moved slightly, she looked up at him. He saw nothing but love for him in her eyes. He slowly lowered his mouth to hers and placed the softest, gentlest kiss on her lips. It was so gentle and full of love that she felt it clear down to her toes. It was just how she had imagined their first kiss.
He only kissed her that one time that night, but it was enough to let her know that they would work out. They spent the rest of the day just sitting in each other's arms, sometimes talking sometimes not, until it was time to go back. She made him promise that they would talk to Professor Dumbledore soon. He promised and they went back to the castle. She knew he wouldn't be at dinner and she couldn't blame him.
After dinner which she herself didn't eat much of, she passed Dumbledore in the hall on the way back to Gryffindor Tower. "Miss Granger? Have you seen Professor Black today? He wasn't at dinner." He knew they were safe to talk no one else was around. He'd been waiting for Hermione.
"Yes sir I have. I spent the afternoon with him." She replied, wanting to say so much more, but she didn't. "He wasn't at dinner, because he said he wasn't hungry."
"Please, Hermione how is he? I assume he told you everything?" The headmaster asked suddenly looking very tired.
Hermione shuffled her feet and looked up at her elder, "Yes, he showed me the paper and he vented rather well. He is doing better and will be ready for the truth soon. I'd say give him a day or two."
"He can have all the time he needs." Professor Dumbledore said. "Miss Granger there are reasons he was never told. I hope I have the chance to tell him."
"I'm sure there were reasons and I'm sure they are good ones. I can remain objective, but right now Sirius can't, all he can see is that he's been betrayed all his life. He'll come around." Hermione moved to the other side of the headmaster. "Professor, I don't want to be rude, but I'd really like to go check on him before lights out. I know Ron and Harry are with him, but I need to see for myself. Please just give him a day or two and we'll all sit down and talk this all out. He won't stay upset long."
"Thank you Miss Granger. Let him know I am worried about him." She nodded and he went on. "You really do care about him don't you"?
Again she shook her head and whispered, "Yes Sir."
"Well then go. Good night, Miss Granger." Dumbledore said and turned to leave.
"Good night Professor." Hermione went the other direction in search of the men in her life.