Chapter 15
I Want You
September faded into October, and with it came the browning of the leaves, the cool breezes and homework. Hermione took note of the season with growing anticipation for her task, still puzzled as to what it was. She would scribble ideas in her diary over and over, but there was no way of knowing if she was right.
It was an Indian summer, the first one in twenty years and the last. The windows were constantly open and students made water sprout from their wands. It was a mindless heat, a dry one that crept into your bones and didn't let go.
Monday came again, and with it, school. School was so wonderful to return to. Hermione's teachers adored her, as much as she adored school. She could fill her mind with new ideas and theories. It almost blocked out Sirius. She would pass him in the hall, not looking at him but feeling a pull toward him.
Opening a folder for a class, a piece of parchment fell onto the floor. Hermione picked it up.
Sirius Black. All rights reserved. Hermione smiled at the memory of that day. Van Gogh, Sirius was not. They'd had so much fun. They made up, which was even more fun. Hermione looked busily over a complicated Astronomy chart in Astronomy class. Sirius' face crept into her thoughts. She mentally blocked him out, scribbling in the answers to the chart to occupy her mind.
From across the room Sirius saw Hermione scribbling frantically, which was uncharacteristic for her. He'd been watching her for a long time now, and he knew by now that she never scribbled, that she always wrote carefully.
"Careful with that," Severus said, watching her. "One mistake and the whole chart's off." "I'm sorry, Severus," Hermione said. They were partners in making the chart that day. He took the quill from her and fixed some of the answers.
"Can't turn it in with mistakes," he said. "Professor Gregorio'll have a conniption fit. He fainted when I said Halley's Comet was the Big Dipper. I might have been a bit off." Those two were so far off from each other that Hermione actually laughed. She hadn't laughed in a while. It was wonderful music to her and especially to Severus.
It was music to Sirius as well, although he probably was not so glad that it had come from Severus.
Hermione went over to Sirius' side of the room to borrow a quill from Lily. Lily, who was Sirius' partner for the day, looked warily at her. She gave Hermione the quill. Sirius bored his eyes into Hermione's.
"Hermione..." Lily began, as if she was going to say something about Sirius.
Luckily Severus came up to them and whisked a grateful Hermione away.
"Severus?" Hermione asked hesitantly. "Could I ask you a hypothetical question?"
"Sure," he said. "What is it?"
"There is this girl I know–Jane," Hermione began. "She is torn between her old boyfriend and a new one. Trouble is, she likes the new one better."
"She's broken up with the old one?" Severus asked distractedly.
"Er–no."
Severus looked up from the chart. "It seems to me," he said carefully, "that Jane should be with the one she's got stronger feelings for. No point in feeling guilty and unhappy. Life's too short."
"Definitely," Hermione murmured, stealing a glance at Sirius.
***
When school ended Hermione methodically walked back to the tower, fanning herself from the intense heat.
Passing a broom closet, she was surprised to see it thrown open and a pair of arms pulling her in.
It was Sirius.
Hermione could see Sirius' silhouette from a small crack of light. For a minute neither said anything, so overwhelmed with being close to one another again.
"Screw everything I said. I've had enough of this–of you ignoring me." Sirius said, his voice full of passion. He got right to the point. " I want to be with you. I know you still love him. But I can't see us throwing away what we both know is so damn good."
Hermione swallowed hard. His eyes reflected the small ray of light that peeked through the door.
"Sirius, I can't."
He nodded knowingly. Sighing resolutely, he began to climb out of the closet.
Hermione pulled him back. His eyes were questioning. In his eyes she saw light and she saw hope. Their faces were so close his eyelashes tickled her eyelids. He stared into her eyes. And in that beautiful moment, she let Ron go. Sirius filled her heart.
He put an arm around for comfort.
"Forget him." Hermione whispered. "I want you."
"Really? But Ron–" Sirius began. She did not let him finish. She kissed him with aching passion. A soft groan came from him, which only encouraged her further.
Sirius' whole body was on fire. He grew flushed. The small space began to heat from their bodies.
When Hermione pulled away, she said, "Now do you believe it's you I want?"
Sirius breathed heavily. "What were we even talking about?" he asked, staring at her lips. She smiled, knowing what he meant.
"I'm so sorry I hurt you, Sirius," Hermione said. "I missed you so much. I need you."
"I need you too," he said simply. How simple it was, and how true.
"I've made mistakes with you," Hermione said. "But I promise I will fix them. I'll be better. I'll--"
"Don't change," Sirius said urgently. "Baby, don't change." He kissed her again, more softly this time.
"Maybe we should fight more often," Sirius said slyly, "if you're always going to apologise this way."
Hermione swatted him with her hand. He caught her hand and placed it around himself. They were forehead to forehead. "Midnight, Astronomy tower?" he whispered slyly.
She beamed. "You wish."
He certainly did wish. They had both begun to sweat from the heat in the broom closet. He leaned to her again, desperate for more.
After a while Hermione pulled away. "Sirius..." she said, who was still kissing her neck. "We....have.....to.....stop." She was getting pulled in. "Come on. You could have picked a better spot than a broom closet." I'm not ready, she meant.
He pulled away reluctantly. "All right."
Suddenly the broom closet flew open. It was Remus.
"Well, well, well!" he said cheerily. "I come in here for some cleaner and I walk into a rated-R movie."
Sirius and Hermione, miffed at being interrupted, climbed out of the closet.
"About time you two made up," Remus said. "Sirius can stop making eyes at you all the time. And talking incessantly about you."
"Oh?" Hermione asked slyly.
From behind her Sirius gave Remus a murderous look.
"What else did he do?" Hermione asked, leaning toward Remus.
Sirius ran a finger across his throat to Remus.
"Er–nothing much," Remus said lamely.
Am very behind on my thank-yous. Here they are:
EmeraldEyed Evans: Thank you! and thanks for reviewing for morew than 1 chapter. I love that. qoa: Excuse me, where are your reviews? Lol I know it's been hard lately. solar: i love it? You mean you're not sure? J/k! tinkerbell-06: Just enjoy the ride! It'll be a long one, as I already have a sequel in mind. Raven Potter Weasley: I know, they're pretty bad, aren't they? Don't worry. isnani: sry it was so short. Next time will be better, okay? mystripedskirt: Love the nice long reviews. I love R/Hr, but not together. She is Sirius' girl! Fallen Angel of Hell so what did you do? You know, in case I need ideas :) Annoriel Gracias! You cleared it up for me. Moony's Angel Don't feel too sorry for Sirius! He got his girl back. Willow 'Black Rose' Edra eesh. I hate writer's block. Hope it passes Puffy Marshmallow Aw, thanks! Siriusly Mione Love your story! Melody's Song can't tell you! you'll have to wait and see. Vallerie I have inspired you? Really? Wow! THANK YOU! s.s. harry lol! Don't cry! Leila3 thank you thank you thank you! your compliments are like little diamonds. All of them are. YepGirl thank you!!!! keep reading meenyrocks nice long review, i love it! Hermione knew about sirius but i think she was so vulnerable that it all came crashing down on her. CassandratheEvil you'll see about harry and ron! (At the end, of course) tsk tsk i know you like him. He is going to be hurt a little probably. silver fey don't cry! Although that's the biggest compliment an author can receive Riffinton: Aw, feel better! But what about your crush? Nighttime Dreamer don't scream, here i am! Kitty Katty Glad I made you appreciate James more! Don't ever let him go. Is he like our Sirius? michelle you're welcome! Glad you liked it. pandabsmiless I'm promising? Thank you so much! I love that. Avery88 Yep, poor Mione. But not for long, right?
WILL CONTINUE WITH THANK YOUS WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME.......PLEASE FORGIVE ME.