Chapter: 13 Holiday and meeting the parents.
Christmas dinner was special this year at 12 Grimmuald Place, filled with love, laughter, and many people, unlike countless years in the past. Along with Sirius, Harry, Hermione, Remus, Dumbledore, McGonagall, the entire Weasley family, and Ron's girlfriend, Alyssa, a few members of the Order of the Phoenix were sitting around the expanded table in the basement kitchen. The decorations included green, red and gold tablecloths with matching napkins, candles in silver candlesticks placed strategically in the middle with numerous types of seasonal greenery adorning the center runner. Ginny placed mistletoe above the doorway, and then positioned herself under it so every male that entered had to give her a Christmas kiss. This amused one and all with the exception of Harry. He wasn't sure why this bothered him, he wasn't jealous… or was he? He knew he had no reason to be; Ginny loved him.
Molly waved her wand as she took the seat next to Arthur and served dinner. Everyone ate and drank heartily, while the conversation escalated to deafening volumes. Mad-eye Moody was telling stories that Ron, Alyssa, and the twins were listening to intently. Arthur and Molly were deep in a conversation with Dumbledore, McGonagall, Tonks, and Remus about the benefits of keeping the Order Headquarters in the Black house. Hermione was talking quietly with Glenna, while Mundungus had Charlie and Bill captivated with his half-truths.
Sirius leaned back in his chair at the end of the table, sipped a butterbeer and watched the whole scene. It felt good to have happiness seeping from every crack and crevice of the old "House of Black". He didn't ever remember a time when things were as laid back and jovial as they were now. His mind wandered back to a time when Christmas was bleak and he hated being here, he hated being in this house, with his so-called family. They disapproved of everything about him, he remembered one holiday when his father came out and told him he was a disgrace to the noble Black name. Sitting and thinking about those things, he became aware of Minerva watching him, and felt Hermione lay her hand on his. "Is everything okay?" She whispered. She knew he didn't want to be fussed over, but it was just a simple question.
"I'm good, love. I was trying to remember if this old house has ever been so full of love, laughter, and friendship as it is today. I don't ever remember a holiday that filled me with such peace and contentment as this one." Sirius said looking around the table again.
He saw her smile at him as she replied. "All it takes are a few good friends who love you and want you to find peace and happiness. All these people want that for you."
He wasn't sure what he saw in her eyes, but he felt he needed to let her know that his state of mind was largely because of her. "Hermione," he said stroking her cheek lovingly. "All these people are icing on my cake. You are my peace, my happiness, and in you and your love I've found contentment and solace. You and you alone have calmed the storms that raged within me."
She leaned over and kissed him. "Thank you." She said into his lips as she brushed hers over his once more, before sitting upright in her own chair. They turned back to the group to see the older woman at the other end of the table smile, knowing she had witnessed everything.
Christmas night was slipping by much too quickly, as it had been a day filled with pleasure for everyone, and no one wanted it to end. The dishes were washed, kitchen put back in order, and everyone over the age of eighteen, with the exception of Remus and Sirius, had already headed to bed. Remus and Ron were playing chess by the fire in the living room, while Ginny, Hermione, and Alyssa sat on the couch talking about what a great vacation holiday they were having. Alyssa had been invited to spend the rest of the holiday at Grimmuald Place. Harry and Sirius were by the window lost in conversation that ranged from James and Lily to future plans for both. Sirius watched Harry as he looked at Ginny several times, and the way he lit up each time. He could see Harry had the same look in his eyes that James always held for Lily. Smiling inwardly, Sirius thought how proud they would be of their only child. It wasn't long before Harry excused himself and went to Ginny.
From his spot by the window, Sirius watched as the teens paired off and went to various places in the living room to spend the remaining minutes of Christmas day kissing and hugging in each other's arms. He turned his attention to Hermione who was now talking with Remus and wondered if she might wish deep down that she had a boyfriend her own age, one she could cuddle with in front of the fireplace. Staring out the window into the darkness, many things began to flash through his consciousness, he didn't see Remus head for bed, or her moving in his direction. She stood for several minutes watching him, wondering what was going through his thoughts. His face revealed many emotions, sadness, regret, loss, pain, and love. Hermione knelt in front of him, drawing his attention to the present. "Hi there. Would you like to share where you were just now? You seemed a million miles away." She said pulling the chair Harry had vacated closer so she could touch him.
He held her hands between his and smiled turning his attention back into the blackness of the night, "I was just reminiscing about things in my life. How much I've screwed up and how I've hurt everyone I've ever cared about." Turning back he looked deep into her eyes, letting her see the sadness and uncertainty that lay in his black orbs, "Sometimes, like now, I wonder if I'm not doing that again, to you." She looked at him, surprised and bewildered. He went on, pointing to the other couples in the room. "I wonder if my selfishness, is keeping you from having what they have, if you wouldn't be happier with someone your own age? Hermione, do you want what they have? If you do all you need to do is tell me, all I want is for you to be happy."
Hermione knew all his insecurities about the difference in their ages were surfacing again and she was going to nip it in the bud once and for all. She stood, walked two steps, towards him, and placed herself between his legs. Taking his face in her hands, she kissed him with as much passion as she could. Breaking their heated kiss, she continued to hold his face, but her voice was strong. "Sirius Black, you are probably the least selfish man I know and NO, I do not want what they have," she said looking at her friends. "I want more! I want what we, what you and I have. We aren't…we aren't all about hormones, I think they love each other but not like we do. Not yet anyway. What I feel for you is so much more than any of them can fathom. It's taken me--it's taken both of us a long time to get here. We became friends, then we fell in love, and when we are both ready--after I graduate—we will become lovers." Hermione turned and sat gingerly on his left knee. "I love you. I don't ever want you to question my happiness with you. You are my rock, my strength, and my happiness. Okay? Please, never again question my wanting someone my own age, because I don't, I only want you. No one else can compare." She saw him smile as he reached for her, placing his lips on hers. Slowly, so slowly, he kissed her; he then applied a little more pressure, while running his tongue over her lower lip. Without hesitation, she opened her mouth and gave him access, tongues tasting each other and exploring the other's mouth. Every time he kissed her this way it took more and more determination not to pick her up, take her to the nearest bedroom, and make love to her. Finally, both needed air and they broke apart. Hermione rested her head against his chest, listening to the soothing sounds of his heart beating.
The clock on the mantel began to chime telling everyone it was midnight. Sirius tried to stifle a yawn but failed. Hermione giggled at him. "I'm sorry, love. As much as I'd like to sit here and hold you all night, I really think I need to go to bed. I'm getting really tired."
"Oh Sirius, how thoughtless of me. I should have been more concerned and made you go rest earlier." She was beginning to feel bad, she knew he was not well and she'd kept him up. She stood and moved away from him.
Slowly standing himself, he reached for her hand. "You didn't make me stay up, I did it because I wanted to and be with you. You have nothing to feel bad for." He embraced her tightly kissing the top of her head, "Walk me upstairs." They said their good nights and left the room.
Arm in arm they walked up the stairs and into Sirius' room. She helped him take off his shirt, shoes, and socks. He assured her he could get the pants himself his jeans off without assistance. She agreed and went to her room to change, but not before telling him she'd return when she was finished to make sure he had everything he needed. Hermione gave him about 10 minutes, because she knew with his injuries he'd be slower.
She knocked on his door and heard him say, "Come in." She entered and saw him lying on his back, dressed only in blue flannel bottoms. She herself had pulled on soft peach silky pajamas with long bottoms and a cropped top. She saw the bruises and cuts were clear on his chest, sides and stomach. She could see the redness where the ribs had been broken. Walking to the edge of the bed, Hermione sat down. Her fingers lightly began to trace the contusions; she then leaned over, placing featherlike kisses where her fingers had been. She couldn't resist as she kissed a bruise, very quickly and lightly sucked on one of his nipples. She smiled as she felt him shudder. It was a wonderful to know she had this effect on him.
Sirius halted her lips and hands, by pulling her down beside him. Turning out the light and moving them both so they were on their right sides spooned together. "Stay with me for a while," he said pulling her closer and bringing the blanket over them. She wiggled into him feeling the growing hardness of his groin. She smiled into the darkness, loving that she, and she alone, could make him react this way and couldn't wait until the day she could experience him for herself. She heard him let out a little moan, then he buried his nose in her hair and it wasn't long before she heard his breathing even out into his soft gentle snore. She told herself she would lay there for a few more minutes then go to her own bed, but it wasn't long before the warmth of his body, the comfort of his arms, and the tingle of his breath on her neck lulled her into the dream world.
Hermione woke sometime in the early morning hours. She felt a little disoriented, not sure where she was. Then it came back to her as she became aware of how warm and comfortable she was. She moved his hand off her hip and started to climb out of bed. Sirius stirred, "Are you leaving?" He asked groggily.
"I'll come back if you want, I just need to visit the bathroom." She answered, hoping he wanted her back in his bed. She felt warm and safe; she liked the feel of sleeping in his arms. This night was so different then the previous night they spent together. Neither slept that night, both concerned about the mission ahead of him. This night they had no worries at all.
He pulled the covers back over the empty space she had just vacated, "Of course I want you to come back. Any man would be ecstatic and proud to have you in his bed. If I had my way you'd be in my bed every night. I'll keep the middle warm for you."
She returned thinking he had gone back to sleep, but was surprised when she approached the large four poster bed, and found him lifting the covers so she could slide in next to him. Once again he snuggled close, putting his hand on her stomach, which was now bare where her shirt had slid up slightly. She felt him start to move his hand away, but held it in place with her own. She loved the feel of him touching her naked skin. Both drifted back to sleep. She hadn't been sleeping long, when something moving along her skin woke her. She realized as she lay there Sirius was exploring her upper body in his sleep. She knew he was still asleep; he still had the steady breathing and soft snore that only came to him in slumber. She lay still allowing his hand to caress her stomach and move upward. She remembered the last time he'd touched her, she had been so close to heaven, when he pulled away. She made no effort to still his roaming hand; she'd deal with the outcome tomorrow. Tonight she wanted to experience that feeling again. His hand slowly made its way to her left breast, where it came to a halt. It rested for several seconds before taking the hardening nipple, rolling and playing with it. Hermione felt a stirring in the rest of her body and let out a small whimper. This low moan put a stop to the roaming hand, but it remained nestled between her breasts and his left thumb on one nipple, gently stroking it. Enjoying his skillful touch, she soon drifted back to sleep with a smile.
The bright sunlight began to peak in through he window, when Sirius woke. As the cobwebs began to clear from his mind he became aware of where his hand rested. He knew he should move it, but as he began to pull away, Hermione whispered, "Don't please. Not yet." She laid her hand across his to hold him where he was. Sirius kissed her hair and closed his eyes again trying to fight the feeling crashing through his body. Finally, he decided to roll to another position, but his body wouldn't obey. He'd been so content lying on his side all night, not moving, that this non-movement made his body stiffen and as he tried to move the ache from the beating he'd taken shrieked at him.
Sirius moaned as he finally rolled onto his back. Hermione rolled to look at him, he had his eyes closed, but she could see the pain on his face. She knew it was time to do something. Suddenly and idea hit her. She knew he couldn't take the potions wizards had for pain, but maybe, just maybe he could take a muggle pain reliever. There had to be something he wasn't allergic to. She kissed him and hopped out of bed. Sirius looked at her as she pulled on his robe. "Where are you going?"
"I'll be back. I need to ask Dumbledore something," she hurried out the door, down to her room, pulled something out of her trunk and headed downstairs in search of the Hogwarts headmaster. She finally found him in the kitchen talking to Molly, Minerva, and Mad-Eye. "Excuse me Professor. May I ask you a question?"
"Yes Miss Granger, what can I do for you?" He asked raising an eyebrow at her attire. He knew that the robe she was wearing was his grandson's. They had given it to him for Christmas yesterday. "Nice Robe."
Hermione looked down at what she was wearing, then looked back at those giving her questioning looks. "Don't look at me that way. We just fell asleep. Nothing happened and as far as Sirius is concerned it won't until after graduation." She wasn't sure Molly believed her, but she really didn't care. Their sex life wasn't anyone's business. "Professor," she turned back to Dumbledore. "I know Sirius can't take pain relieving potions, but what about muggle pain relievers? Would those hurt him?" She handed him a bottle she had gotten from her room.
Dumbledore looked at the bottle closely. Then turned it over and read the ingredients. "I don't see anything in these that would cause a reaction, but why don't we try just one for now and see how he responds?"
Hermione nodded, she was about to head back upstairs when Sirius walked slowly holding his side into the kitchen. Minerva stood and gave him her chair as Molly waved her wand and a cup of coffee floated over and landed front of him. "Hermione, what was so important that you raced down here?"
Dumbledore tapped the table, and a small glass of water appeared. He handed Sirius one of the muggle pills. "Here take this. We are going to see if it helps with the pain. I don't see anything in it you are allergic too. If you don't have any reaction in the next two hours we'll give you more."
"What is this?" Sirius asked looking from his grandfather to Hermione.
"It's called Aleve," Hermione said, handing him the water. "I use it for headaches and cramps, but it's supposed to help with other aches and pains. It's a muggle medication."
He took the water and pill. Examining the little blue tablet closely. Deciding it couldn't hurt, it might even help, he popped it in his mouth and drank the water. He noticed Molly was staring at him. "What?" He asked.
"Well is the pain gone?" Molly questioned.
Everyone in the room began to laugh, "Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said. "It takes longer for muggle pain relievers to take effect. It might be thirty minutes to an hour before we know anything." She took the seat across from Sirius as Minerva sat next to him. They hadn't been talking long, when Ginny and Alyssa strolled in, sitting next to Hermione. Both girls looked at their friend dressed in the bathrobe Sirius had been given the previous day.
Ginny leaned closer to her friend, "So where were you last night? You weren't in bed when we came into the room." Both teenagers glanced at Sirius and gave Hermione a knowing look.
Hermione shook her head at them. "Actually, I was in bed when you went to our room, I just wasn't in my bed." She noticed they kept looking at her with smirks. "It's not what you're thinking, and I'm an adult, I don't have to justify myself to anyone." She tried to sound irritated but all three ended up laughing. The rest of the morning, people came and went from the kitchen. Hermione, Ginny, and Alyssa sat at the table talking. Hermione looked over to where Sirius had been sitting, She was going to ask him if the Aleve had worked, but he was gone. She hadn't even noticed him leave. She turned to Molly and Minerva, "Where is Sirius, when did he leave?"
"Oh, he left about thirty minutes ago. He said something about needing to talk to the members of the Order that are here," Molly smiled at her. "You were so involved in your conversation with Ginny and Alyssa, he didn't want to disturb you."
Minerva saw the look on Hermione's face and quickly added, "He said to tell you, he loves you and he'll catch up to you soon. He said he was glad you were catching up with the girls," She reached across the table and took the younger woman's hand. "If you could have seen the love shining in his eyes as he sat here and watched you before he left. You really are good for him."
Hermione smiled at the older witch. "Professor, did he say if the pain medication was helping?" She asked.
"He didn't say, but he was moving better. Albus took the little bottle you gave Sirius off the table before they went to meet Remus and Arthur." McGonagall stated. Hermione nodded and went back to talking to Ginny and Alyssa.
Hermione walked into the living room a few hours later looking for a book, when she spotted Sirius sitting in the rocker by the window again. He was holding Trace and talking to him. She couldn't hear the words he was saying but his voice was calm, smooth, and soothing. The scene mesmerized her; she stood for a long time just watching them together. She was caught off guard when he looked up and saw her watching. He smiled the smile that reached his eyes, the same smile that captured her heart in the shrieking shack in her third year, the smile that had always told her that he would never hurt her.
She walked to where he was and sat in the chair beside him. "What are you two up to?" Running her fingers across the infant's forehead, she looked into Sirius' eyes. "Are you teaching him how to pull pranks?" She laughed.
"Nah, I'm just telling him about this world, about the family and friends he has, and I was telling him all about this beautiful lady I know and how I still have a hard time believing she loves me." He said looking at her with so much love in his eyes that it took her breath away. Not knowing what else to do she leaned in and kissed him. They sat together, quietly talking and playing with Trace. Glenna came a few minutes later and took the baby, so he could eat and get cleaned up. Hermione and Sirius sat and talked more about nothing really. Finally Sirius, asked the question he'd been dreading since his return. "When will your parents be back? When will you have to leave?" He knew she needed time with her family, but he didn't want her to leave. He liked knowing she was in the house.
"I received a message from them this morning. They weren't suppose to be back until the second, but they are coming back early. They should be home sometime today." She told him, not wanting to go home. Sure she wanted to see her parents and her grandmother and other relatives would be around, but she loved being at Grimmuald Place with Sirius, and the others. "I'm going to leave about four, I should get there about the same time they do." She wanted to know what he was feeling, but when she looked into his eyes, she noticed he'd put his unreadable face on.
He took her hands in his, caressing the backs with his thumbs. He never looked up at her, just at their joined hands. "That's great. You'll have a wonderful time. You'll get to see all your relatives. Anything I can do for you to help get ready?" He asked finally looking up at her.
"Come with me?" She said, she knew he was going to say no, because of the way he was shaking his head, she didn't give him the opportunity. "In their message they said to bring you. We'll only stay a couple days, but I want you there. I want to show you off to everyone. I want everybody to meet the wonderful man I fell in love with, I want them to see that this is real and not some silly school girl crush. I want you to get to know them and them you. I know they'll love you as much as I do. I'll even pack for you. Please, I need you there?"
He knew in that very moment he was completely hers, as much as he didn't want to meet her family and be put under a magnifying glass, and as much as he'd made up his mind he was going to say no, when he opened his mouth to speak, "Okay, I'll do it for you. I'll go." Is what came out. She hugged him and left to get things ready. Sirius sat there looking out the window wondering what he'd gotten himself into.
At three fifty-eight, Sirius and Hermione stood at the door of Grimmuald Place saying good-bye to their friends. Sirius told Remus he'd be back in a couple days, he'd return for the Order meeting on the 29th. Forty-five minutes later, they pulled the rented car into the Granger's driveway. Sirius looked around, their house was in a typical muggle area, but it stood back away from the road and was almost surrounded by trees. Hermione once told him this was so she could practice some of her magic when she was home and not have to worry about the neighbors. As they got out of the car, they were met by a large black dog similar to Sirius' animagus form, he looked at the animal, then Hermione, and smiled questioningly.
"His name is Mystery. I got him a couple summers ago, after—well you know. He reminded me of you, and it was a comfort to have him around. Mum and Dad love him. He's very friendly as you can see." At this point she was around the car and standing beside Sirius as they played with the big canine.
"Why did you name him Mystery?" He asked rubbing the dog's ears.
"I don't know. Maybe because he did remind me of you and you were a mystery to me, maybe because you died in the Department of Mysteries. I don't know, I just associated the dog and the name with you and this was a way I could keep you alive in my heart." She hugged him close. It wasn't long before her parents came out of the house to see where Mystery had gone. Sirius took a step back to give them room to hug and kiss their daughter. Hermione left her father's embrace and moved to stand next to Sirius putting her arm around his waist. "Mum, Dad, this is Sirius Black." She then turned to him, "Sirius, these are my parents."
Sirius extended his hand, "Mr. Granger and Mrs. Granger, it's nice to finally meet you." He felt awkward, like a teenager meeting parents before the prom.
Mrs. Granger took his hand, but pulled him into a hug, Hermione saw Sirius close his eyes tightly. She moved to pull her mother off him, "Mum, be careful okay. He's a little sore. Remember I told you he went underground to protect the muggle world from a dark wizard?" Her mother nodded yes. "Well he got beat up pretty badly and he's not healed yet. It's only been 3 days."
"Well then, let's get both of you in the house. The rest of the family will be here around eight." She took Sirius by the arm and led him in.
Hermione followed her father. "Looks like your boyfriend as an admirer," he whispered. Hermione laughed. "How are things going—with the two of you?"
She stopped at the front door and hugged him. "They are wonderful, Daddy. He is so good to me and we really do love each other."
"I hope you're right, honey. I do have to say I don't think I've ever seen you this happy, but you'll have to excuse me if I reserve judgment on him until I've seen for myself how he treats my baby." Mr. Granger said as they entered the front door.
Hermione laughed, "Okay that's fine; but, Daddy, I'm not a little girl anymore."
Mrs. Granger showed Sirius to the room he would be staying in; it was across the hall from Hermione's. The room was bright with a double bed and all the comforts a muggle home would have. In the corner was a television with a DVD player and a stereo. He knew how to use both of these; Hermione had shown him a couple years ago. Off to the left of the bed was a bathroom, so he didn't have to share. It was a comfortable room, a little girlie for his taste but he could handle it for a couple days.
He sat on the bed unsure of what to do next, when Hermione knocked on his door. "Do you think you can be comfortable for a couple days? I'm just across the hall if you need me, okay?"
"I'll be fine, love," he said pulling her to him, resting his hands on the small of her back and kissing her. She deepened the kiss, pressing her tongue to his lips wanting access to his now opened mouth. He gave her as much room to explore, as she wanted. He loved the taste of her. She broke their kiss and rested her forehead against his. Neither saw her parents standing in the doorway, until Mr. Granger coughed.
Sirius let his hands fall from her waist, but Hermione just looked over her shoulder. "Hi. How long have you been there?" She asked.
"Not long—but long enough," her mother said. "I looked in your room for you and wondered if you might be in here. Why don't we all go down stairs and chat awhile?"
Hermione stepped back and pulled Sirius up. They walked down stairs hand in hand. She showed him to the sofa and sat next to him, while her parents went to get refreshments. For the next hour or more they talked about how Hermione was doing in school, Sirius' teaching position and their dentistry practice. Finally, Mr. Granger brought up the subject of their relationship. Both Hermione and Sirius tried to answer their questions honestly. "What is going to happen a year or two from now when she wants to go out with her younger friend or go on a trip with the girls or anything that doesn't involve you or what you want. Are you going to let her do these things?"
Sirius sat up a little straighter, He took Hermione's hand in his, and he kissed it, and then looked straight at her father. "Sir, I know you and I are about the same age, and I know the age difference bothers you. You think I'm going to be possessive and controlling. I respect that you want only the best for your daughter, but—" He took a drink of the water in front of him. "—but it's not for me to LET her do anything. She is her own person. She can do whatever she wants, if she wants to go be with her friends or come here or do whatever, then it's strictly up to her. I'm not her parent I'm her partner. We are partners in this relationship; we're traveling our lives together. I would never try to tell her what she can and can't do. That's not to say I won't try to protect her, but I won't control her. She has a mind of her own."
His answers seemed to calm her parents and the rest of the time was spent just getting to know each other. Family arrived and Hermione made sure, she or one of her parents was with Sirius all the time. She didn't want him getting the third degree from some overprotective relative. She watched him as he sat on the loveseat with her grandmother. He seemed to have her grandmother on their side. She walked over to where they sat, kissed the older woman, and sat down on Sirius' knee. "Well Grams? What do you think? He's special isn't he?" She saw Sirius blush.
"Hermione, dear, he's charming, handsome, and sexy. He's made this old lady feel young again and I can tell he loves you. I can also see how much you love him. I had my doubts when you told me, but I see the love you two have for each other and I have no doubts it's a lifetime thing." She leaned over and kissed both of them. "You have my blessing. Besides," she said standing and patting Hermione's knee. "You two will make beautiful babies and I could use a couple Great-grandchildren." Sirius and Hermione looked at each other, then stared at her retreating Grandmother. Both started laughing at the same time.
Sirius enjoyed the rest of his visit with Hermione's parents. He did his best to do things the muggle way. The day he was to leave, Hermione would be staying a couple more days, they spent the morning and early afternoon talking. Mr. and Mrs. Granger took the opportunity to talk to Sirius alone about what his future plans might be when it came to their daughter while she was in the shower. He quickly told them that his main concern was her education and her happiness. He told them of the hopes he had for their future after she graduated, but also let them know that he was making no plans without Hermione's input and agreements. This seemed to ease any lingering concern. When Sirius left that day he felt, for the first time, that this relationship truly had her parents blessing and acceptance.