Revised July 13, 2004.
A Walk in the Rain
The next few days were bliss to Hermione. She and Sirius had reached an understanding, and she was glad of it. Over the days Hermione would catch Sirius gaze at her, which would cause her to lose all feeling in her knees. She would often watch him from her spot in a chair. She'd watch him laugh with James, or bent over homework. And when she walked anywhere in the common room his eyes followed her. Often he'd wink at her. And Hermione remembered, blissfully, when he'd reached for her hand one night. They had both been sitting in the common room, working busily. Hermione was bent over parchment, writing. Her right hand was on her forehead in concentration, her left hand slack on the table. Across from her Sirius had been working as well. Suddenly he reached over and he'd put his hand on top of hers. Hermione looked up in surprise. "Hey!" she said.
Sirius took his hand back.
Hermione waited a few minutes, then reached over and put her hand on his. He'd looked up, grinning.
The next weekend was a Hogsmeade weekend, and Hermione and Sirius planned to do something there.
Hermione was aware that this was a date; and the night before fretted to Lily.
"What should I wear, Lils?" Hermione asked frantically, pulling clothes out of her trunk.
Lily bent down next to Hermione in front of the trunk. "Okay, let's see what you have. . ." she began to pull various bits of clothing out and appraising them. "This is too fancy," Lily commented, putting Hermione's dress aside. "And this is too casual," Lily added, pulling a woolen sweater out and putting that aside as well.
Hermione threw up her hands in frustration. "It's no use–I'll just go naked!"
"Sirius would love that more than anything you'd find in here," Lily quipped. Then she pulled out Hermione's good purple shirt and black jeans. "Here, this is not too dressy, not too casual. It says, 'This is something I threw on even though I look fabulous in it, as well as fashionable." Lily declared.
Hermione looked at the clothes. "Wow. A few seconds ago that was ratty to me."
Lily nodded. "You needed a fresh eye."
Hermione got dressed and sat down on Lily's bed for Lily to do her makeup. Lily artfully applied lipstick, eye shadow, blush, and mascara. Hermione's hair was still bushy, but not as much as it had been when she was younger. She was still not the prettiest girl in her year, nor would she ever be.
"Lily. . ." Hermione wanted to express her gratitude to Lily for everything she'd done, but could not find the words.
Lily gave her a hug. "I know," she whispered. "Have a great time."
Hermione and Sirius walked through Hogsmeade.
It was nighttime, and Hogsmeade was filled with Hogwarts students. Over Hermione and Sirius clouds began to form, making Hogsmeade a little darker.
They hadn't figured out what they wanted to do yet. They had both already eaten. Sirius didn't want to go to the Three Broomsticks. Hermione had been to Zonko's too many times to ever want to visit it again.
For the most part, they walked around and talked. Sirius told Hermione about his summers. He'd spent the summer in Egypt once ("I did too!" Hermione explained.) and told her about this great Egyptian shop where you could buy pieces of the pyramids.
"Oh...it was too crowded when I went there, so I left," Hermione said quickly. The truth was it had shut down a few years before she'd visited Egypt. It reminded her, once again, of the circumstances.
It was getting cold, and Hermione began to shiver. The weather in Hogsmeade was always pleasant, and Hermione was shocked to see that it began to rain.
Hermione and Sirius looked at each other, dumbfounded, and Hermione ran for cover in front of a shop, Sirius laughing at her.
"What's so funny?" Hermione asked, crossing her arms.
Sirius was getting soaked, he hadn't run for cover. "Hermione, have you ever walked in the rain?"
Hermione looked incredulous. "Are you mad, Sirius? You'll get sick."
"I'll be fine," he said, inching closer to her. "Come on," he beckoned her on. "Let's walk in the rain."
Hermione made a few more sounds of protest.
"All right, then," Sirius said. He began to grin slyly. "You're gonna make it hard on me."
And with that Sirius picked up Hermione, flung her over his shoulder and ran into the field.
Hermioned screamed the whole way, the rain stinging their bare arms like tiny knives. They were both wearing short-sleeved shirts.
"Sirius, I swear, put me down!" Hermione cried.
"Not a chance!" he yelled, running faster through the field, running faster through the wet, slippery grass. "Come on, it's only rain," he panted. "And I'll keep you safe."
Hermione finally began to relax. She started to giggle. "Sirius, you are the maddest person I have ever met!" she cried, the wind drowning her words.
He set her down in the middle of the long, grassy field. Moonlight hinted through the clouds, glistening on the rain clad grass. It was beautiful.
Hermione was laughing her head off, and so was Sirius. He finally dropped her and she fell on her bum, which made him laugh. They were both soaked. Hermione's hair positively dripped with water. Their T-shirts clung to their skin. Hermione could see his chest outlined, which made her swallow hard.
"Now," panted Sirius, "isn't this more fun than sitting in some shop."
Hermione nodded, and stood up. "Can you do a cartwheel, Sirius?"
"What are those?"
Hermione walked a few feet away, and demonstrated the cartwheel.
Sirius clapped when she'd finished. "Beautiful!" As if not to be outdone, Sirius did a few flips.
Hermione giggled. "Show-off," she accused him.
"Show off? I'll show you a show-off," Sirius said, walking up to her. He put his arms around her and Hermione's heart pounded. But to her surprise he lifted her up and threw her in the air.
"Aughh!" screamed Hermione in fright. But she knew she would be okay, as Sirius caught her.
Finally they both fell to the ground, laughing. The grass felt moist under their bodies. They were laughing so hard for a minute they didn't realize Sirius was half on top of her.
The laughter stopped. Sirius shifted so he was nose to nose with Hermione. Hermione's heart was about to pound right out of her chest. This was it. Hermione gazed into Sirius' clear dark eyes for half a second. Then his eyes fluttered closed. Hermione followed suit. Sirius' lips met Hermione's. She was amazed at how soft they were. Hermione felt as if she would burst from happiness.
After a minute Sirius deepened the kiss, slowly using his tongue. Hermione dragged her free arm around Sirius and pulled him closer. After a few more minutes Sirius pulled away. Hermione's eyes fluttered open in surprise and disappointment. He was looking at her earnestly and Hermione realized he was asking permission with his eyes. Hermione put her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Sirius was pleased by this. As if to reward her he rolled her over. Hermione's heart was racing, and she knew where he'd take this if she didn't pull away.
They both sat up, breathless. Hermione exhaled. "Wasn't that better than Zonko's?" she asked, breathing heavily.
He laughed and picked her up again. Hermione wrapped her arms around him, squealing. He spun her over and over till she was dizzy. Finally Sirius lowered her and kissed her again. Neither noticed when the rain stopped, clearing the path for the stars to shine. Spent from both the running and the kiss, they both laid down on the glistening grass. Hermione put her head on Sirius' chest, and he stroked her hair gently. Even though they were both soaked, the warmth from each other's bodies warmed them.
Sirius gazed up at the stars. "Look, Hermione, there's the Big Dipper." He pointed it out.
He looked so happy and so carefree. Hermione desparately wanted no cares. But tonight she'd forget about them and stay in his arms.
Hermione gazed up at the endless sky. Lying in Sirius' arms, she knew that the fate of the magical world depended, solely, on her.
Sirius marked a tree high with their initials and the date, with a knife.
Hermione normally hated such cliche, but with Sirius it seemed so right.
Sirius put the knife away. Hermione was cold.
"Here," he said, putting his jacket over her. "This will make you warm." He gave her a kiss. Hermione never knew if he meant the jacket or the kiss.
It was late when they decided to leave.
"Let's take a shortcut back to Hogwarts," Sirius suggested. "This field leads right through to the school grounds. Last one to make it there has to take the other out to dinner."
Hermione laughed. "You're on." It had begun to sprinkle lightly again. They ran together in the rain. When it seemed as if Sirius was getting the upper hand, Hermione ran over and palyfully knocked him over.
"Hey!" he yelled.
"Ladies first, Sirius!" Hermione panted. He ran after her and picked her up. "You're still losing!" Hermione yelled.
"I don't think I am," Sirius said, looking into her eyes. His face was flushed from the exercise and it made his eyes look even brighter.
They slowed their pace. "So," Sirius said, throwing an arm around Hermione, "did it hurt?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled lightly. "No. I'm okay now." Please don't say any more about that, she pleaded silently. I don't want to think about leaving.
They reached the Hogwarts grounds. Hermione and Sirius both remembered the race at the same time. Hermione sped up. "I'm beating you!" she cried, her wet hair flying.
Hermione knew how in shape Sirius was; he'd probably let her win. There was no love lost between Hermione and exercise. "You know the rules, then," she reminded him. "You have to take me out next time."
"Next time?" he asked softly.
"Yes," Hermione replied firmly. "Next time."
The fat lady looked disapproving when she saw Sirius and Hermione walk up. And no wonder; Hermione's hair was still wet. Sirius' shirt still clung to him, and they both looked flushed, sweaty, and out of breath.
"Never mind that," Sirius said quickly, knowing what the fat lady was thinking. "Fish head."
Inside, the common room was empty. Hermione turned to Sirius. "Good night," she said. Sirius gave her a light and soft kiss. "Good night, then." he replied.
In her dormitory Hermione took out the sketch of Sirius. After a minute of thinking, she knew how to show what she saw in his eyes.
Hermione added flecks of light to Sirius' eyes, and they looked almost right.
MY REVIEWERS:
Riffinton: Sevvie making a comeback. . .hmm....:) We'll see won't we? Thanks! Hallie Walker: Thanks! I update every week, usually Friday or Saturday. CeLeStIaL BeInG: The best? Lol I dunno about that, but thanks! Amour89: Thanks! I doubt that, though. Silverfey: Thanks for the info! It's all clear now. :) mystripedskirt: If you thought that chapter had action wait till this one! :) QueenofAngels1: My dear beta and best friend! I know you love your Sevvie! Baci: Yes, I was making you wait. . .haha. Actually I was going to have them kiss in that last chapter but my beta and I decided to have Sirius wait. Lol. Poor him. Laurea-vean: I hope you love this chapter!!!!1 I love it soo much. Raven Potter Weasley: lol I got you panicked! Don't worry this is a Sirius/Hermione fic. Whispering Romance: thanks! Nothing perks up homework like a good story, huh? Hope uo did well on it. Solar: Thanks! Enjoy this chap, ok? Fallen Angel of Hell: Yep they're together. . .for now. :) Don't worry. They're THE couple. Willow 'Black Rose' Edra: ::taps foot impatiently:: j/k! Yes I know all about homework/coursework....poor you! I'm loaded down with it too. Meeny: Of course I mentioned you! I mention all of my dear reviewers. Yes you make sense. I am trying to keep Hermione grounded, but I think with love she'll be. . .I dunno. . .no so grounded. Because love does that you. Thanks! And you should sooo write a story. LilMissPurrfection: Yeah, I know, not realistic. I think that's the beauty of it! Thanks! Lady Prongs: Yep, you'll see what the mission is later on. For now you'll see her plagued down with the weight of it all. PadfootsAngel1: Thank you! Isn't it wonderful when a nice story helps you forget everything else? I am hopelessly romantic too, I hope that it's not too fluffy though. I'll be careful. Siriusly Luvin It: Of course they did! You doubted me?!? j/k skichik: thank you!!!