Chapter 7
She's not one of them
James and Remus looked at Sirius expectantly, as if to say, This is your chance.
Sirius cleared his throat. "This isn't the time to talk about it, Hermione. Please, let me talk to you in private." His eyes were full of urgency.
Hermione nodded, shocked at the urgent look in his eyes. "Okay. We'll talk tonight, then. After I finish the potion." Hermione grabbed her things and left the Hall.
***
"There! We're done." Severus said.
"Sorry you had to give up your evening for this, Severus," Hermione said, putting a cork into the flask.
"It's all right. It's for school."
Hermione gathered her things to go.
"Where are you heading, Hermione?" Severus asked.
"I'm going back to Gryffindor, I have some homework to finish," she replied, gathering up her book bag and putting the flask on the professor's desk.
"Let me walk you."
Hermione turned around surprised. "Really? That's really nice of you, Severus." When they reached Gryffindor Hermione turned to Severus with a smile. "Thanks, Severus."
"You're welcome," he said. He paused as if wanting to say something else. "Good night." he turned and left.
Hermione gave the fat lady the password ("fish head!") and went into the tower. It was empty, except for Sirius. Hermione wondered how he'd managed that. Then she remembered it was Sirius, who could have anything he wanted.
Sirius had been working on what looked like course work; but when he saw Hermione he put it away. "Please sit down, Hermione."
Hermione sat at the desk, facing Sirius. It was a bit like an interrogation.
"I know what James said at dinner was surprising to you." Sirius said. "It's true, I do like you."
Hermione felt as if she'd drunk butterbeer. "You do?"
"Yeah. When I teased Severus today, it was just because I wanted to get your attention." "So you decided that teasing an innocent person is a way of getting my attention." Hermione snorted. "You don't know me very well."
Sirius saw her hostility and matched it quickly. "Oh, I forgot. If it's darling Severus. . ."
"This isn't about him," Hermione said. "This is about you, me, and your other self."
Sirius threw up his hands. "What 'other self?' "
Hermione tried to explain. "Sirius, when you comforted me last night I thought you were someone kind, someone who wouldn't hurt anyone. You wiped my tears away. I thought you were someone who, deep down, missed his parents. I just. . .I can't believe you won't be the person I know you could be."
"What do you even know about me?" Sirius retorted. "You don't even know me." Hermione's voice grew louder. "I know that you can be a good person but when you go out there and start feeling up every girl and hexing everyone you become someone else."
Sirius was enraged. "How dare you talk to me like that?"
"Oh, you mean the almighty Sirius, the god?"
"Fine," Sirius said, annoyingly close to tears because everything she said was so spot on. "Go. Give up on me. It's not like you're the first one to ever do that."
Hermione was about to do just that when she stopped. "What did you say?"
"I said, go." Sirius said, turning his back to her to hide his red eyes.
"No. . .you said I'm not the first person to give up on you."
"So?"
Hermione figured it all out. "I see what you do, now Sirius. You date girls, and when you start to like them too much you dump them. You're afraid of getting hurt, aren't you?" Sirius didn't answer. "I'm afraid too, Sirius. I am afraid you're going to throw me away like an old tissue. I'm afraid you're gonna like another girl more than me. But-look at me, Sirius." He turned to face her, and Hermione took his face in her hands. She made him look into her eyes.
Hermione continued, "I like you. I'm not going anywhere. Your tricks didn't work on me. I hate playing cat and mouse." She let go of his face. "You're so scared, Sirius. Why can't you let yourself be with me?" she said softly. She saw the vulnerability in his eyes and loved it.
Sirius found his voice. "I am not scared, Hermione. I have never been scared. Everything you said about me–all of it–it's not true."
Hermione drew herself up. "It's true, Sirius. And when you finally decide to take a chance with me, I'll be waiting." She touched Sirius' face and gently kissed his cheek.
Sirius turned away again. Hermione headed for her dormitory. Over her shoulder she said, "I'm not going anywhere. I told you, I'm not 'one of the girls.' "
MY REVIEWERS: Riffintion: I like Sev too. . .a love triangle.........maybe, maybe not:) lol don't want to give out spoilers. Siriusly Luvin It: Yeah, true. There's a star called Draco? I like how JK puts real life things in her stories:) evilive:In love? Hmm.........Not yet, I think:) Soon. Thanks for the review! Allison: I am continuing:):):) hope you enjoy the chapter. Raven Potter Weasley: I am updating, yay me. And I will keep updating for a long time. Solar1: thank you! s.s. harry: good! I don't wanna be blown to bits. Shadow Lee: THANKS! I kinda put a different spin on the characters, Severus, for one. Nikki: I am sure he's got a heart too! We can see his heart here when it wasn't so cold. Silver rose petal 4: lol I loved the expressions too. Actually there was more to the chap but I just decided to leave it as a cliffhanger:) Mean me. Mystripedskirt: Yep, he'll shape up real soon, you'll see it in the next few chapters. Fallen Angel of Hell: thanks! I am not quite at 100 yet, so we'll see how this chapter goes:) PadfootsAngel1: Don't hex me! Lol! I've got 12 chaps written! Ms.Padfoot 1: Don't you love him! He's such a player, but there's something about him that makes him irresistible. Choc_syrup: Yep, mean person that I am, I left it as a cliff.:)