This chapter is for Katie Bloom, who came the closest I've seen to guessing the task.
Chapter 34
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The students who returned to Hogwarts after the Christmas holidays were immediately met with juicy gossip: Sirius and Hermione had broken up.
The news met with mixed reactions. Half the girls were ecstatic that the playboy-turned-devoted-boyfriend was now back in play. They flocked to him after a long time of shooting longing looks at him from afar, while he had been at Hermione's side.
The other half sided with Hermione. No one save for the Marauders, Lily, and Severus knew of the circumstances of Sirius and Hermione's breakup. Yet half the female population of Hogwarts sympathised with Hermione, for most of them had been in her position, dejected and hurt.
On Saturday, Hermione walked slowly down the stairs, but stopped abruptly when she heard Jennifer's voice, chatting animatedly with her friend Phoebe.
"When I heard Sirius was single again...I couldn't help it, Phoebe, I was excited," Jennifer was saying.
"Jen, this has happened before, you know that. He'll take you back, you'll get your hopes up and he'll cheat on you." Phoebe was saying.
"I know, Phoebe, I know. But I love him so much," Jennifer said, much to Hermione's astonishment. "He's impossible to resist." Hermione knew this all too well. "And I think this may be my last chance."
Phoebe sounded doubtful. "He really seemed to like Hermione," she said. "He never saw any other girls." Hermione's heart fluttered.
Jennifer, in her infinite jealousy, turned catty. "I never knew what he saw in that ugly schoolgirl. I was sure it was just another one of his flings. Frankly, I'm surprised it lasted that long. He's way too good for her."
Hermione listened incredulously. Love sure was blind. Jennifer saw no fault in Sirius, who had repeatedly hurt her, yet felt the need to insult Hermione, who had done nothing to her.
"Are you going to go see him?" Phoebe asked.
"As soon as I can," Jennifer replied. "At lunchtime I'll sit with him."
"All right," Phoebe said, still wary. "If you're sure."
"I love Sirius," Jennifer declared. "I'm sure." They talked for a bit longer, then went to breakfast.
Hermione moved from her perch on the stairs slowly, digesting what she had heard. She should not have been surprised. She knew full well that girls naturally flocked to Sirius, and he to them. And Hermione would have to watch every second.
----
An hour later, Lily walked down the stairs and was met by James.
"Hi," he greeted her. "I know the other night was bad, and I wanted to clear the air."
Lily sighed in relief. "I'm so glad. I was hoping you'd be able to see Hermione's side–"
James held up a hand. "Whoa. Hermione's side? Who said anything about Hermione's side? I thought you'd have come to your senses by now and saw Sirius' side."
"Came to my senses?" Lily raged. "I can't believe you said that. I am on Hermione's side."
"I, for one, can't believe you'd take her side when you've only known her a few months. Sirius has been your friend for years." "Wrong. Sirius has been your friend for years. I'm sticking with Hermione."
----
Hermione was on her way to breakfast when met up with Remus.
"Can we talk?" he asked softly. Surprised, Hermione nodded warily.
"I know about you and Sirius," Remus said, getting to the point. "And I just want to say that I believe you."
Hermione was stunned. She was so sure Remus would take Sirius' side. "Why do you believe me?" she asked. "I would have thought you'd side with Sirius."
His answer surprised her. "I think you're in love with Sirius. He might not see it, but I do. That you love him is apparent in your manner."
"How so?"
Remus smiled slightly. "If you were truly as heartless as he said, you wouldn't look so miserable." He went on. "I believe you, but what I'm trying to say is that I am going to take his side. Sirius is my best friend and I will stick up for him, even if I know he's wrong. That's what best friends do."
"Thank you," she said finally.
-------
Sirius sat in the common room staring into the empty fireplace. He had managed to convince everyone for the most part that he was all right, that Hermione was nothing to him. But here, sitting alone, the mask was removed and his pain was evident. His eyes were red and held an immeasurable sadness. He could not escape the pain, no matter how hard he tried. It was always there. When he bottled it up it only became worse when he finally dealt with it. He couldn't handle it.
"Sirius?" It was Jennifer. He was sitting with his back to her, and it took only a second to put the mask back on.
"Yes?"
"I heard about you and Hermione and I just want to say how truly sorry I am." Jennifer touched his hand. Sirius jerked it away.
"And I want you to know, I'll be here for you." Jennifer's tone held a hint of coyness in it. "Why? I dumped you. You should hate me," Sirius said harshly. His pain was reflected in his cruel words.
"I don't hate you." Jennifer's voice shook. For the first time, Sirius saw a vulnerability that had always been masked by a certain air of arrogance.
"Why's that?"
"I love you."
Sirius did a double take. He managed to keep his composure. "You'll excuse me if I don't believe you. The last girl who claimed to love me didn't."
"Loving someone means you make allowances for them. How do you think I managed to stay in love with you while you were with Hermione?"
Jennifer sat down and patted Sirius' knee. Slowly her hand moved up, till Sirius could not stop the feeling he got. He had been celibate for months now, without a second thought. But the pent-up feelings could not be ignored.
"Don't you remember how it used to be?" Jennifer whispered silkily in his ear.
"All too well," Sirius whispered huskily. He couldn't resist.
Jennifer's lips met Sirius' and he kissed her roughly, hoping all thoughts of Hermione would disappear as he lost himself in another girl. It worked, until it was over and he was left with nothing but thoughts of Hermione.
—----
It had been rough, but Jennifer said she preferred it that way. She'd fallen asleep, spent. Sirius stared at her bare back, watching it move up and down as she breathed. He was no longer celibate, but the sex had been so empty. A part of Sirius felt even emptier than before. He knew why he felt so empty, but he did not admit it to himself. He turned and stared at the dark ceiling. Sirius spent a long time chasing shadows on the ceiling before he admitted to himself that he wanted Hermione.
It should have made him go talk to Hermione, but instead his resolve to forget her became stronger. And over the days he would regress to the person he thought he had left behind: Sirius, the Hogwarts god.
Notes
Some people mentioned it was confusing trying to figure out who was talking. That was the point. It was all jumbled up and a mess, just like the situation is.
Katie Bloom! came very close. Here is what she said:
also thought i'd have a random guess at the task. i think it's something to do with saving severus' mum's life which in turn will save someone else's life in the future
Draw your own conclusions.......
Thanks to Facil Glow, Ripley Blade Rowan, and a little sirius for the helpful tips!
Anonymous asked that I bring back the pic of Ron. We'll see.......:)
jessa1234, the reason she didn't remember is because she hadn't gone back in time yet.
Big hugs to:
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