This chapter is for Willow 'Black Rose' Edra, in the hopes that she'll update her innovative story, 'Sorceress,' soon!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Chapter 10
Be Careful, Hermione
Thanks to Naomi for the magazine name.
Lily walked down to the Gryffindor common room the next morning. Waiting at the end of the stairs was Sirius. He tried to look as if he wasn't waiting. He casually flipped through a copy of Swish and Flick.
"Good morning, Sirius," Lily said. "Waiting for someone?"
"How did you guess, Lily?" Sirius asked sarcastically.
"Hermione's just barely getting up," Lily informed him.
Sirius grinned slyly. "Yeah, we were up pretty late last night," he said, as if to insinuate something.
Lily raised her eyebrows. "Oh? You haven't ruined my friend's honor, have you?" she asked jokingly.
"Of course not, Lily!" Sirius pretended to sound shocked. Not yet.
Just then Hermione came bounding down the stairs, looking a bit tired, but happy.
She acknowledged Lily, who sensed this was her cue. "I'll see you at breakfast, then," Lily said, and winked at Hermione happily.
Hermione watched Lily go, then turned to Sirius. "Hi," she said.
She walked down the stairs. Sirius wrapped his arms around her. She breathed in his scent for a few seconds, then asked, "How are you today?"
"I think you know." Sirius whispered in her ear.
Hermione snuggled up to him. She did know.
***
"Severus, the Dark Lord's power is rising," Lucius said. "It is wise to increase our numbers. Soon he will be the most powerful wizard. And we've only a few candidates for Death Eaters. We must come on strong."
Severus nodded in agreement. "When the Dark Lord gains full power he'll need an army of wizards to follow him. Powerful ones."
"Whom do you suggest?" Lucius asked.
Severus didn't answer but for some reason Hermione Granger's smiling face came up into his head.
***
Hermione and Sirius headed down to breakfast together.
"I still think you cheated your way to victory!" Sirius said.
"Oh, come off it, you lost and you owe me a homemade dinner." Hermione reminded him.
"Maybe I can get out of it?" Sirius asked, giving Hermione a long kiss. When he pulled away Hermione said, "That was nice. But you still owe me dinner."
***
"Granger?" Lucius said. "What qualifications does she have?"
"She's a very powerful witch," Severus informed him. "I've seen her at it."
"But do you think she'd be swayed?" Lucius asked.
"She's already fallen under Black's spell," Severus said bitterly.
"Black? Are you mad? He despises the Dark Lord. And it's a guarantee that any girlfriend of his wil be as well."
"Maybe not," Severus said, a plan hatching in his mind. "Hermione has already spoken up for me. If I can convince her that he's a git she'll go to someone else. . .me.
"And I, in turn, will teach her all she's been missing," Severus finished, a smile coming on his dark features. He watched Hermione enter the Great Hall arm-in-arm with Sirius, laughing. She didn't see how Sirius used girls. Severus knew if Hermione was his he'd never let her go. Sirius didn't know what a jewel he had.
***
"So, was it wonderful?" Lily asked that night. She and Hermione were in their dormitory. Lily wanted Hermione to show her how hair was styled 'back home.'
Hermione sighed. "Yes, it was."
Lily gazed in the mirror. "Oh, Hermione, it's beautiful."
"I think James'll like it!" Hermione agreed.
"He'll have to," Lily laughed.
"You know," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Sirius isn't like anyone I have ever met."
"That's for sure," Lily said. Hermione sat down on the floor for Lily to do her hair. "He's funny and charming and full of life. So he tells me," she quipped.
Hermione laughed. "He is pretty confident."
"Hermione?" Lily asked. Her voice took on a serious tone. "Be careful."
"Oh, I will. I won't let Sirius hurt me."
"No, that's not what I meant. Be careful with Sirius' heart."
Hermione looked at Lily.
"Sirius is like my brother," Lily said. "He can be tough when he wants, but his heart can break as easily as anybody's."
Hermione knew what Lily was telling her. "I'll be careful, Lily. I promise."
"What about that boyfriend of yours back home?"
Hermione was pressed up against the wall on that one. She wanted to be Sirius so badly. She'd put Ron out of her mind. "I don't know," Hermione admitted.
"You could write him a letter," Lily suggested. "Let him know what's going on."
Hermione nodded. How would I send that? Ron Weasley, The Burrow, A Few Years in the Future?
But maybe Lily had the right idea. Hermione would write a letter to Ron in her diary one of these days.. It would give them closure.
Hermione sat right up and went to her diary. After a few minutes she was still gazing at a blank piece of parchment. She had no idea what to write.Hello Ron, how are things? Well, I've decided to throw you over for a man who's over 20 years older than I am! Love, Hermione.
That would not do. Finally Hermione turned back to Lily. "I don't know what to write," Hermione admitted.
"It'll come to you," Lily assured her. She lay down next to Hermione on the floor.
"What's it like with James?" Hermione asked.
Lily smiled. "Mm....wonderful. I never knew there was a good person underneath all that smugness."
"Do you ever think you'll. . .marry?" Hermione asked carefully.
"Maybe someday." Lily said thoughfully. "And we'll have 3 kids," she said, getting into the spirit of things.
"What will their names be?" Hermione asked lightly.
"Hmm...what do you think?"
"Harry's a nice name . . ." Hermione said cautiously.
"Er, not really. I always liked the name Neville." Lily said.
Hermione laughed. "We'll see, then."
MY REVIEWERS:
solar1: thank you! Baci: thanks! I am glad I make your weekends better! Your reviews make mine better. Mystripedskirt: OMG I loooooooved your review. I love it when people leave little tidbits about what they like in my story. Thanks for the compliments! Yes the Fat Lady is nosy, but she's seen sooo many Hogwarts couples. :) Riffinton: Sev is in this chapter, yay :) Thank you! Nikki: Of course she'd think that way, lol. He's so great isn't he? I can see why Hermione likes him. (Loves him? Not yet) PadfootsAngel1: thanks for putting it on your favorites! Sorry you and your ex never got to do that, but here's hoping you find someone with whom you walk in the rain with. Your Sirius, in other words :) QueenofAngels1: thanks! Gl with your research paper, ok? Luv ya! CeLeStIaL BeInG: thank you! love your username! Bree: isn't the rain lovely? Perfect romantic setting. Lil_chick: wow! Thank you! I converted someone! (Not really, but you know what I mean) athena: Your wait is not in vain. Hermione will address her issues with Ron throughout the story. Willow 'Black Rose' Edra: thank you! A lot of reviewers said that, but it never gets old, lol. Please update soon. Luv your story. Fallen Angel of Hell: I won't split them up! They are THE couple! Isn't the rain wonderful? Lady Prongs: thank you! skichik: roflmao! I love rain. Hallie Walker: thank you! kiera: thanks for the compliment!