Hermione stayed with her parents two more days, hanging out with a couple of her muggle friends as well as spending time with family. She spent most of New Years Eve morning with her mum and dad, but made sure they knew that she was spending the evening with Sirius and the others at the hotel in Diagon Alley. Remus was throwing a New Years Eve party. It was also a welcome home party for Sirius and would give everyone a chance to meet Remus' new girlfriend. She told her parents they were invited to join them if they would like. Mr. And Mrs. Granger declined stating they had their own party to attend at the home of a family friend. At five p.m., Hermione said good-bye to her parents, and left to make her way to Diagon Alley and the hotel.
Harry and Ginny greeted her at the front desk. The look on their faces told her she wasn't going to like something. She was about to ask what was wrong when she spotted a familiar figure coming toward her. "What's he doing here?" She asked looking at Harry.
"I don't know. We checked in and he was here. He's been asking all kinds of questions about you. He asked if you'd be here, Ron told him yes and then he told us that was great, he wanted to see you again, spend some time with you." Harry watched her expression as he talked and as the man in question got closer and closer.
Hermione stood in shock as the man approached, picked her up and twirled her around. "Herm-own-ninny! It's vonderful to see you. I vos vaiting for you."
"Viktor, What are you doing here?" Seemed to be the only words she could get out of her mouth.
"I am here on holiday with my teammates. I thought since ve vere visiting I vould try and see you. I saw some of your friends earlier and they said you vould be arriving today, so I've been vaiting. Ve are staying in this hotel too." Again he picked her up hugging her close. When he finally sat her down, she became dizzy and held on to him to keep from falling. He took this as a sign and pressed his lips to hers kissing her. Only Ginny, who was standing behind them, saw Sirius and his expression as he observed his girlfriend in the arms of another man.
"What was that for—Why did you do that?" She sputtered.
"I thought you vould be as glad to see me as I am to see you." Viktor answered reaching for her again.
Hermione took a step backwards. "Viktor, I am happy to see you, but you can't hug and kiss me like that. I don't have those feeling for you." She was about to go on when she heard someone telling Viktor it was time to go.
Again he trapped her in his arms; "I'll see you again later. Maybe ve can share a kiss at midnight. I'll be looking for you." He kissed her one more time.
Hermione pulled away quickly when she saw Ginny nodding toward the stairs. She knew from Ginny's expression Sirius had seen the whole display. Hermione looked to where Ginny was looking, but saw nothing, she turned and watched Viktor leave, and then turned to her friends. "Ginny, please tell me Sirius wasn't watching? How long was he there? How much did he see?" She barely managed to croak out as her voice shook.
Before Ginny could answer Harry exclaimed, "Sirius was down here and he saw that? Oh, bloody hell, Hermione!"
Again Hermione said to Ginny, "How much did he see?"
Ginny wanted to be supportive of her friend, but she knew she had to know the truth, "He saw from the time Viktor first picked you up. He saw everything and, Hermione, he didn't look happy."
"I can't say I'd be happy if the table was reversed." Hermione took a deep breath. "What room is he in? I'll go talk to him."
Harry handed her, her bag. "He's in 314 across the hall from you girls. Hermione, don't be surprised if he won't talk to you right now, he has a stubborn streak and when he's mad he's even more obstinate." She nodded, took her bag and headed up the stairs.
Hermione put her suitcase in her room, said hello to Alyssa and Ron, and then headed across the hall. Knocking she heard him moving around, but he didn't come to the door. She knocked again this time talking to him as she did. "Sirius, open the door, it wasn't what it looked like."
The door flung open and Sirius stood there with fire in his eyes. "I'm not a complete git! I know what I saw. I saw your ex-boyfriend kissing you and it didn't look to me like you minded at all." He told her. She flinched at the sound of the anger in this voice.
She stood there just staring at him in disbelief. How could he think she enjoyed Viktor Krum touching her? Before she had time to think about what she would say, she heard herself yell, "If you honestly believe I enjoyed that big Neanderthal groping me then maybe you are a complete git!" She didn't wait for his reply. She was now as angry as he was. She turned around, walked into her own room and closed the door. Mumbling to herself, "How could he honestly think after all this time I would cheat on him and with Viktor? He can just sit over there and stew about it. I don't care and to think I thought he trusted me and loved me? What a complete idiot I am." She paced as she repeated this to herself over and over unaware that her friends were watching her. Finally she realized they were there. Looking up from the floor, she saw them stating at her. "What? She questioned raising her arms.
Ginny was the first to approach her. "Hermione, you know Sirius loves you. You also have to take into account what that scene in the lobby looked like to him. How would you feel if you walked into a room, after being away from him for a few days wanting nothing more than to hold him and found him in the arms of another woman? Not just ANY woman, but an ex-girlfriend that you knew he'd been hot and heavy with? You'd be jealous and angry too," She saw she was getting through to her friend. "It's just his insecurities coming out. Give the man a break."
"Why doesn't he give me a break and trust me?" Hermione said heatedly.
"Hermione sit down," Harry said walking over to her. "I don't usually get into other people's business, but listen to me. I think Sirius is trying. He wants to trust you and we all know he loves you, but think about the facts; he hasn't had anyone in his life he could really count on. Everyone he's cared about with the exception of my parents, and Remus have lied to him or betrayed him in some way. I think he knows there is nothing between you and Viktor, but somewhere inside he can't allow himself to completely give in and trust," He saw she was thinking about what he was saying. Harry went on, "I know you aren't any of those people, but he has to let his head catch up to his heart. Just go talk to him again." Hermione stood, hugged Harry, and headed back across the hall.
Across the hall, Remus was giving the same kind of talk. He'd come in to a ranting Sirius. Calming his friend down, he told him to think about what he actually saw. Did he really think Hermione had feeling for Viktor and if she did would she express them with Harry there? Sirius told him he knew he was right, but it still bothered him. "Sirius," Remus said. "Think with your heart and not with your head. What does your heart tell you?"
Sirius thought for a few minutes. "My heart tells me to trust her, Moony."
"Then trust her." Remus watched as his friend flopped down on his back on the bed. Before he could saw anything, there was a knock. Remus answered the door.
"Is he here? I really need to talk to him." Hermione looked apprehensive when he stood back and motioned her in.
"He's over there," he said and pointed to the bed by the wall and grabbed his jacket. "I'm going to go find my lady. Sirius," his voice stern "You play nice." Remus closed the door before the pillow that flew across the room could find its target.
Hermione approached the bed where Sirius lay looking at the ceiling. She sat down next to him and took his hand. "Sirius, do you honestly think there is something between Viktor and me?" He didn't answer, but shrugged. "Fine I'll tell you. A long time ago there was. In my fourth year, he and I had a relationship but it's long over. I knew when I was seeing him that it wouldn't last. Even then, I knew my heart was waiting for someone else. That someone is you." She saw the coldness and hardness of his face and eyes begin to soften. "When he picked me up, when he kissed me, all I could think was where was the tenderness, there was none. The tenderness, Sirius, is when I am with you, in your arms, being kissed and held by you. That's when I feel the gentleness and the love."
Without saying a word Sirius scooted over on the bed and Hermione snuggled in next to him. "I'm sorry I was a prat. I know there isn't any thing between you and Viktor, but it just bugs the hell out of me that he thinks he can come in here and you'll fall back into his arms."
"Well I won't and I'll make that perfectly clear next time I see him," She saw Sirius smile for the first time since she arrived. "Now I think someone owes me a hello."
Sirius stood and brought her with him. He hugged her tightly, and then she reached up, pulled his head down so his lips could meet hers. Pressing her lips tighter against his, simultaneously they opened their mouths and tongues began to explore. The need for air began to overtake both and they drew apart. Hermione laid her head against his chest and they stood and held one another. After several minutes, Sirius broke the silence. "How was your stay with your parents?" She told him all about her time at home and they talked about what he'd been up to for a while longer. Then Hermione left to get ready for Remus' party. Sirius told her he would pick her up at eight.
At 7:45 Harry and Ron knocked on the door to Sirius and Remus' room. When the door opened and they entered they saw Sirius standing in front of the mirror with a disgruntled expression on his face trying to manipulate the cloth around his neck in to something that resembled a tie. Harry laughed and walked over to assist his godfather. "Here let me." He then secured the material in a perfect Windsor knot.
Sirius looked at himself in the mirror one more time. "Thanks." He said as he grabbed his dress robe out of the closet. He then turned to look at the two young men who had joined him. "Well, don't you two look nice? Shall we go?" He held the door for them and waited as Ron knocked on the girl's room. One by one the ladies exited their room. Hermione was the last out.
Sirius marveled at how beautiful she was in an emerald green strapless dress, tight at the waist, but flowing to the floor. Her hair was swept up with tiny ringlets framing her face. "You look stunning." Sirius said as be kissed her lightly. She smiled and slipped her arm around his waist as they made their way to the small ballroom Remus had rented. On the way into the ballroom, they saw Viktor and some of his friends. Hermione felt Sirius tense as they passed, but she was sure Viktor hadn't seen them.
The ballroom was decorated in typical wizard New Years décor. As Hermione and Sirius entered the room, Remus immediately called them to his table. "Sirius Black, Hermione Granger, I'd like you to meet Alexia Campfield." He turned to the beautiful blonde on his left, "Alexia, this is Hermione and Sirius."
Alexia greeted the other couple. "It's a pleasure to finally meet both of you. Remus has told me so much I feel I already know you."
Sirius smiled at Remus with a raised eyebrow, "It's nice to meet you as well and Remus has told us nothing about you." At this comment, Remus visibly blushed and had the grace to be slightly embarrassed as both men held chairs for the ladies. The two couples spent the majority of the evening talking and dancing. Occasionally, others would come and join them for a while, then move on. Remus frequently made sure everyone was having a great time and that the food and drink stayed full.
Remus and Alexia were making their rounds; Sirius had gone to visit the restroom, when Hermione looked up to see Viktor and some of his friends peering into the room. He spotted her and began to wave. She tried to ignore him, but he entered and walked up to where she was sitting. Harry saw this and he, Ginny, Ron, and Alyssa made their way across the room trying to intercept him. Viktor was about to sit down when Ron said, "Sorry Krum, but this is a private party."
He looked at Ron and the others in disbelief, "I'm sure it is okay vith Herm-own-ninny if I sit here with her." He then smiled at the lady sitting next to him. "It is okay isn't it?"
Not wanting to hurt his feeling but also not wanting to upset Sirius anymore she wasn't sure how to answer. Before Hermione could open her mouth to respond she heard, "It will be fine if you stay." She then felt the tender and familiar hand of Sirius Black on her shoulder. He extended his other hand to Viktor, "I'm Sirius Black. Hermione has told me a few things about you. Are you here visiting?" Sirius sat down next to Hermione and placed his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and placed her hand on this thigh, hoping Viktor would realize she had a boyfriend now.
Viktor face dropped, but he watched as everyone sat around the table. He kept looking at Hermione as if something would change, as if his watching and wishing would make her being with Sirius a joke. Finally he stood, "If it is okay vith you Mr. Black, I vould like to dance vith Herm-own-ninny."
Sirius smiled but Hermione felt him tense slightly. She squeezed his thigh a little and she heard him say. "That is up to the lady." He looked at his watch and saw the time. He would let Viktor have this dance but at midnight she would be back in his arms. He would be the one kissing the beautiful witch as the New Year arrived.
Viktor held out his arm and Hermione took it. She looked back at Sirius and smiled. She knew what he was thinking. Krum slipped his arm around her waist and they began to sway to the soft music. "Herm-own-ninny, you aren't really interested in that old man are you? He's old enough to be your father."
"Not that it's any of your business, but yes I am interested. Sirius and I love each other very much. He's the man I've dreamt of all my life." Hermione said looking over at the tall, handsome man who, was now talking to Remus and Alexia. She had to smile, even though he was twice her age, he had the boyish charm of most seventh years. She loved that about him. In all that had happened to him, that was one of the characteristics that he had held on to. She glanced at the clock and saw it was five minutes until twelve. She knew Sirius would be cutting in soon. Remus had planned a slow, sexy song that would be playing at the stroke of midnight.
Viktor saw Sirius heading toward them, he thought to himself, 'I have to try and make her mine'. "Please, go away vith me. Ve can haff a wonderful life. I'll be here until the end of February. That should give you plenty of time to break it off vith that Black guy."
"Viktor, don't. I love Sirius and I'm his. I'll always be his. What you and I had is long over. Go back to your life and forget about me, I'm happy. I'm very happy." Her eyes were pleading with him. Viktor smiled as Sirius cut in and he moved to join a couple of his friends across the room.
Hermione and Sirius danced, pulling each other closer and closer until there was no room between them. She told him everything that had happened while she was dancing with Krum. She made sure he knew she was his in everyway. At the stroke of twelve Sirius leaned in and gently kissed her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened their kiss. She had never started a New Year so amazingly. She knew it was going to be a great year. She had everything she could want and a man whom she loved and who loved her in return.
Across the room, another man was telling his friend who inquired how he'd made out with the long haired beauty, "Don't vorry, She vill be mine," as he glared at the man wrapped in her arms.