Revised July 13, 2004.
Chapter 8
If You'll Let me
A few days later Hermione sat in the common room with Lily and Remus, poring over homework. Remus had been able to show her a few books about the things she'd missed. Lily was invaluable to Hermione. When Hermione had told Lily about the conversation with Sirius, Lily had stayed up with Hermione and listened.
"Give it some time," Lily had said comfortingly.
Time is exactly what I don't have, Hermione thought.
A few feet away from Hermione Sirius sat with Jennifer, doing course work. Since his talk with Hermione he had steered clear of her, spending time with Jennifer.
Sirius watched all of Hermione's movements. Her forehead wrinkled in concentration. Her brown hair shone in the firelight. Hermione stood up to borrow a quill. He watched her walk over to someone, ask for a quill, thank them, and go back to her seat.
Jennifer was reading Witch Weekly pointing out articles to Sirius every five minutes. He managed the usual "How interesting" and "Really?" Jennifer accepted this; Sirius was that way sometimes. After a while, though, Jennifer grew tired of this and went to her friend Emily to pore over the pages.
As she left, Sirius caught Hermione's eye. It was fast and fleeting, and made Hermione's heart stop momentarily.
James came to Sirius' table and sat down across from him, blocking Sirius' view. "Earth to Padfoot."
Sirius blinked. "What?"
"You've been stuck on the same page for half an hour." James pointed out.
"Oh." Sirius shut the book. "I know it all anyway."
"Are you gonna ask Hermione out or am I stuck with a lovesick best friend?"
"Give me a break, I'm not 'lovesick.' "
"So that's why you've been watching Hermione all night?"
Sirius rubbed his eyes and didn't answer. "She's different."
"You really do care," James said in an incredulous voice. "It's never taken you more than a butterbeer to get over a girl."
"I know. It's a shock to me too."
"That's how I felt when I first went out with Lily," James said, in a rare moment of emotion. "I thought, 'Okay, one date and we'll see where this goes.' But no. Lily, she...." James cleared his throat, a sure sign he was going to share his feelings. "....I'm in love with her," James said, and quickly rumpled his untidy hair, as if to feel more masculine. "I don't love Hermione," Sirius pointed out quickly.
"Not yet." James corrected him. "Man, I thought for sure you'd never settle."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "So I guess you lost that bet with Remus, then."
James recoiled. "You know about that?"
"Yeah."
"So....does Remus get the twenty Galleons?" James asked carefully. This was his way of finding out how much Sirius liked Hermione.
Sirius smirked. "Yeah. Remus can have his Galleons."
James frowned. "I thought for sure I was the clear winner. You've really disappointed me," he said jokingly.
"Oh, shut up. At least I won the bet I had with Remus over you."
James raised his eyebrows. "You had a bet with Remus, then?" he asked.
"Yep. Thirty Galleons on Lily going out with you." Sirius folded his hands behind his head victoriously.
Hermione finished her course work and sat down by the fire, sketching Lily. Apparently she felt less self-conscious about showing her talent to other people. Again Sirius saw the peace in her eyes, the peace he loved. She smiled, and Sirius made his choice.
Hermione went down to breakfast Saturday morning with a clear head. She'd finally figured Sirius out. She hoped what she had said was not too harsh and that he'd know how much she liked him.
Hermione headed for the Gryffindor table and was greeted by Lily and James.
Hermione sat down and Lily nudged James. James cleared his throat and said, "Hermione, I'm sorry for spilling the beans about Sirius." James sounded truly sorry.
Hermione smiled at him. "No worries, James. We managed to clear up a lot of things."
James nodded. "Good."
Hermione looked around. "Where is Sirius, anyway?"
Lily and James shrugged. "We haven't seen him all morning. Maybe he's in the common room."
Hermione thanked them both again and sped back to the common room. She was anxious to know what Sirius' feelings were. Hermione knew what she wanted. She wanted Sirius to take her into his arms and kiss her, like she'd wanted him to do from the moment he'd stepped into the hospital wing. Hermione moved faster at the thought of kissing Sirius. She wanted to so badly. Her palms itched to touch him and she wanted to look into those eyes.
Hermione entered the common room only to find it was empty, save for Remus. I might as well wait for Sirius, she decided. Hermione took the seat next to Remus. Remus looked up, shocked to see anyone was in the room. "Hello, Hermione. Sorry. I was studying for the Charms test. Have you studied for it yet?"
"I studied it this morning," Hermione replied truthfully. One of her secrets was to get up early in the morning to finish off her homework. It gave her time to do other things. Remus and Hermione chatted for a bit longer, until Remus banged his hand on the desk. "What is it?" Hermione asked, startled.
"Severus wanted you to meet him. Something about your potion not being quite right." Hermione groaned. "We worked on it for over an hour," she said. "I'm positive it was all right."
Remus shrugged. "I guess he wanted it to be perfect. Here, I'll walk you to where he wanted you to meet him."
Hermione should have sensed that something was up. She was too preoccupied to notice, though. Remus led her out of the common room and through the corridors. Finally he stopped at a black door. "Here we are," he said brightly.
Hermione thought this a bit odd, but thanked Remus. She reached for the doorknob. "Allow me," Remus said. He opened the door and Hermione was shocked at what was inside.
The Room of Requirement was filled with candles, candles like the ones in the great hall, except they were colored and gave out a sweet scent. There was a soft-looking couch in the middle of the room and–to Hermione's amusement-- a box of tissues.
And standing in the middle of the room was Sirius.
Hermione turned back to Remus, who winked at her and left.
"Sirius, I–" Hermione began. Sirius walked over to Hermione and gently put his finger on her lips. "Shh," he said softly. "It's my turn to talk." Sirius led Hermione over to the couch. "Everything you said last night, it's true," he began, in a soft tone. "I do go through girls because...." it took Sirius a lot of time to say this. "I'm afraid."
Hermione knew what it must have taken for him to say that. She took one of Sirius' hands in both of hers.
He went on. "I have a motto, Hermione. To hurt before you're hurt. And I've lived by it, for a long time.
But then you came along," Sirius said, wiping the tears from Hermione's already-tearstained face. "You wouldn't take any of my rubbish."
Hermione smiled through her tears.
"I like you, Hermione," he said, putting his face close to hers.
"I like you too," she whispered.
"I don't know what that other boyfriend was like, Hermione," Sirius said, pulling away. "But I do know I'm not like anyone you've ever met. Am I right?"
Hermione nodded; that was for sure.
"And I can take you places you've never been." Sirius finished. "If you'll let me."
Hermione beamed. "I'll let you."
"Good," Sirius said. He kissed her forehead. "And I'm sorry about Sniv–Severus."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let's forget about him."
"I already have."
"Well," Hermione said, standing up. "This was enlightening."
"Sirius," she said flirtatiously, "Do you always expect a kiss?"
Sirius moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. "Yes."
Hermione grinned, moved close to him, and kissed his cheek. Don't want to give him everything just yet, Hermione thought. Make him go crazy with anticipation. "There you have it."
He groaned. "You really are different." But he accepted it; he knew he wouldn't have to wait for long.
Hermione and Sirius entered the common room together. When Lily and James saw them, they both wore grins.
"I told you it would work," James said.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "It was my idea, Prongs."
"But I told you it would work, didn't I?"
"So you two are---?" Lily asked.
Hermione and Sirius looked at each other, and nodded.
Lily squealed.
Hermione turned to Sirius. "I better go to bed," she said.
"Want company?" he whispered slyly in her ear.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Nice try."
"Okay. Good night." He gave her one last long look and let her go.
Hermione went up to bed, and so did Sirius.
Lily turned to James smugly. "I won. Twenty Galleons that they'd get together by the end of this week."
MY REVIEWERS: mystripedskirt: they are definitely feisty! I love them! The next chapter is full of S-H action. Crazy steph: thanks! Riffinton: MY 100TH REVIEWER!!!!!!!! ::cheers:: thanks for all your great reviews. Yup, it is a love square now.....who'll get the girl? Nikki: nope, we don't want to make things too wast for sirius do we? And hermione knows that. Raclswrt: thanks! Chocsyrup: OMG thank you you gave me an idea! When I use the idea I will be sure to mention you. PadfootsAngel1:don't hex me! And isn't the line perfectly awful! Lol Raven Potter Weasley: Yeah poor him! But it's ok he gets the girl (for now). Baci: thank you! Melody's Song: hmm.....that would really be a challenge.....I don't like R/Hr......but maybe I could stretch my limits and try. We'll see! Thanks! Meeny:thank you! get an account so i can get more hits for my 'favorites list!' Willow 'Black Rose' Edra: UPDATE SOON, YOU HEAR? :) I loove your story. solar1: thanks! Did this chapter surprise you too?