Chapter 4

Then it came to her, Sirius's rooms. He'd be teaching now, and no one would ever think to look for her there. Turning she ran lightly down the corridor hoping she wouldn't be spotted. Finally she reached the portrait she was looking for saying the password she stepped inside.

Making her way over to the chairs in front of the fire she relaxed for the first time that morning. God she hated that Parkinson bitch. Sirius may have said that they wouldn't always matter, but they did here and now. True Seamus had stuck up for her, but he seamed to just enjoy getting one up on the Slytherin. Sinking down onto one of the chairs, she did something that she would never let anyone else see, she cried.

She did not know how long she had been there but she cried until she was exhausted, and then she cried some more. She cried for what Pansy had said, for the others for not letting her get involved, for herself running away. And then she cried because Parkinson had made her cry, which was something she had promised herself she would never let her do.

Finally she came back to herself, Sirius would be back soon, and she did not want him to see her in such a state. Sniffing and wiping her eyes she got up slowly from the chair. Turning around she was shocked to see Sirius already standing there.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there." She mumbled, making her way towards the door.

"That much is evident." He said coldly.

The harshness of his tone caused her to turn and look at him again. "How long have you been there?" She asked wanting to find something to say.

"Does it matter?" He asked. "I'm guessing you've been here since you ran off from potions, and I seriously doubt you've done anything except cry since then. I wont have missed much."

"Sorry." She said sarcastically. "I just wanted to be alone."

"We've had this discussion, so I don't know why we're going over it again. These people don't matter. By running away your only letting them think that they do."

"Easier said than done." She muttered.

"I never thought I say this to you Hermione, but I am disappointed in you." She looked up, "You have let them make you miss 3 sets of lessons this morning, they have prevented you working, are you going to run away every time they say something you don't like, until you fall behind?" he continued.

"I never thought of it like that," She confessed. "I just wanted a moment peace, without being made to feel inferior. Sorry I disappointed you." She finished sarcastically.

She turned and left the room, with out turning round to his calling her back. She didn't feel up to facing Harry and Ron for lunch so she decided to go down to the kitchens before her last lesson of the day, which was, bugger where was her timetable?

When she arrived in the kitchens she was greeted by Winky, Great, she thought, on top of every thing else she was going to have to deal with the hysterical elf. But surprisingly they elf did not look as though it was about to burst into tears. Hermione asked her for some sandwiches which appeared quickly, and then she was left alone.

Fishing out her timetable she cursed out loud at the Defence Against the Dark Arts Lesson scheduled for that afternoon. She would have to go, Merlin only knew what Sirius would say if she bunked one of his lessons. It made her grin though thinking about all the lessons the Marauders must have missed. Although as Sir had pointed out to them last summer they had all learnt more bunking, and planning their pranks than they would have in any lesson.

Harry and Ron were walking from the Great Hall after lunch, Hermione hadn't turned up for lunch either, and they were both beginning to worry, so they had decided to go to DADA early and speak to Sirius.

Entering the room they saw Sirius finishing some marking at his desk. "Haven't done your homework Sir?" Harry asked cheekily.

"No, but don't say anything, I might be able to avoid a detention." Sirius looked up grinning. "Mione not with you?" His tone became more concerned.

"Aint seen her since potions, we were wondering if you had any ideas. Pansy made a dig about her parents, you know she hasn't really got over her the news about her Mum."

"What news about her Mum." He questioned worried.

"Bloody hell, she said she'd told you." Said Ron. "Well you know"

"Ron." Harry said warningly. "If Mi didn't say anything perhaps she doesn't want anyone knowing."

"Tell me." Sirius said in a voice that did not leave the subject open for discussion.

"Well." Ron began slowly. "You know she went to America on holiday with her parents."

"Yeah"

"Well she didn't know at the time, but they were taking her Mum to visit a cancer specialist. She has terminal cancer, and there's nothing they can do."

Sirius looked shocked. "Why the bloody hell has she kept that to herself?" "No idea, anyway. That cow made a dig about her parents and I guess it really got to her."

"Fuck." Sirius whispered.

"What." Ron and Harry said together.

Well, she was in my sitting room earlier, and I may have said something that may have been a little insensitive if I knew that. Look, if she doesn't turn up, let her know later I want a word." He finished as the bell rung.

Over the next 5 minutes the class materialised, including Hermione, who to everyone's surprise took the desk at the back. Due to the small class size, Sirius had told everyone that the back 3 rows were to be left clear. But he didn't say anything and the rest of the class took their seats at the front.

The lesson was over to quickly for Sirius, who did not like the idea of talking to Hermione, however he realised it had to be done, and he was more likely to get her to stay after class if he asked her in front of the other students, as she would have to treat him with more respect.

As the bell went Hermione jumped up to leave the room, but was stopped by Ron, who catching Sirius's eye had already made his way towards the door. The rest of the class cleared the room very quickly, none stopping to talk to their professor, as they usually would have done.

"Ron, Harry will you excuse us please?" Sirius asked nodding towards his office door. Hermione didn't move. "Hermione my office now." Sirius pushed. Reluctantly she made her way in.

Sirius made his way over to one of the sofas and sat down. He looked up at Hermione who still stood by the door looking very tense. He breathed out slowly, he didn't really know what to begin with. Well he had to start somewhere.

"Mione." He began. "You know what I said at the beginning of the year? About you, Harry and Ron always being welcome here?" She nodded slowly.

"Well," He continued, "I feel bad, I guess that was why you were here earlier, and I sent you away. I'm sorry."

She looked at him from the doorway and sighed. Walking over to the sofa, she bent down and hugged him. "No, Sir. Its me who should be sorry. I kept you in the dark about things and then expected you to understand. Your one of my best friends, and I shouldn't have shut you out. But," She stopped.

"Go, on" he said releasing her. She sank down sitting next to him, and shook her head. "Mi, you've just been talking about shutting me out, and now your doing it again."

"I just didn't think you would want to deal with a hysterical teenage girl."

He looked at her and laughed. "Listen to me, I took this job so I could look after you, Harry and Ron and see more of you all. Also, apart from the fact you are one of Harry's best mates, you are one of mine. I'd be a shitty friend if I did not want to listen to your problems."

"Ta Siri. You're a star, you know that? Whoa, no pun meant." She laughed at her own choice of words.

"I do believe some one had mentioned it before." He laughed.

"God how arrogant are you?"

"Its being in this place, remembering how it was when I used to be here. The old feeling of being ermmmm invincible is coming back."

"Was it very different then?"

"Depends, Dumbledore was around, and McGonagall, never got on with Snivellus." She giggled at the nickname. "So if you look at I like that then no. But now, theres no one like the Marauders. I miss having them about. I have to be more responsible. But girls still fawn over me wherever I walk so, I don't know. The same but different."

"Its not just girls you know?" She looked at him cheekily, "theres one or two lads who."

"Shut up right now young lady I'm not discussing students like this."

"Ahhhhh, Is Siri embarrassed?" She mocked.

"So Mi, any crushes you have that I should know 'bout" He said trying to change the subject.

Hermione blushed, there was no way she was going to admit to Sirius that she had been crushing on him since he had come back. "No" she shock her head.

Unfortunately for her he caught the blush. "Methinks your lying to me Mi, who is it? Its not Harry is it?"

"Hell no."

"Hey whats wrong with my godson?" Sirius asked protectively.

"Nothings wrong with my best friend." She said pointedly. "Did you ever fancy Remus?"

"Ermmm, yes. But I guess that's not the point is it." She looked up shocked. "Remus, no way."

"Ahhh, sadly yes. I don't know the bookish things always done it for me." Sirius suddenly started to blush, and got up. "Anyway if that's all, I've enjoyed our little chat Hermione. Must do it again some time, well must dash. Bye." Getting up he opened the door for her.

"Well bye then Black" she hissed, obviously annoyed by his sudden change in attitude.

He looked startled, he hadn't meant to offend her, but after being in Azkaban for twelve years, and still being a wanted criminal made meeting lady's difficult, and she was having an affect on him that he didn't think he was able to deal with right now.

She began to walk back down the corridor and realised that she had never talked to Sirius about what had been bothering her, well she reckonned Ron had already filled him in. But she had said something to ruin the atmosphere, he'd probably been embarrassed by the Remus comment, she thought to herself. Oh Well, she would go and talk to him with Harry and Ron tonight anyway.

Walking down the corridor she bumped into Harry and Ron. "You alright now?" Ron asked concerned.

"Yeah." She smiled weakly.

"Well what did he say?"

Thinking that Sirius wouldn't appreciate her telling his Godson that he used to fancy Remus, she related Sirius speech on how politics was always changing.

"Whoa, who would've thought Sir could come up with something like that?" Ron mused out loud.

"'cos you know Voldemort is a half blood." Harry muttered.

"He what?" Shouted Ron and Hermione at the same time.

"Yeah, did I not say. His Dad was a muggle. That's why he renamed himself, so no one would know."

"Bit hypocritical isn't he."

"Aye well, he was an orphan who had a rough childhood."

"So did you Harry, but you ain't a mass murderer."

"Point."

As they entered the Common Room they were greeted by Dean shoving a piece of parchment towards them. "Petition"

"What for? you got a quill?" Harry asked.

"Nah mate, we want you to deliver it, not sign it. Its for Professor Black, we want him to start a duelling club."

"Sure I can see it now," Ron began sarcastically, "He can do a Lockhart and use Snape for 'demos'"

"Sure I'll give this to him, I reckon he'll do it." Harry said taking the parchment, whilst glaring at Ron.

"Hey, what's the look for?" Ron said when Dean had disappeared.

"Two reasons: one we don't want to make to big a deal out of how much Sir and Snivillus hate each other. And two, you know he'll be dead chuffed about doing this."

"Unroll it Harry, see how many signed, if its only a few we can say people have just been asking." Hermione directed.

"Harry began to unroll the parchment. When it was four foot long he stopped and shouted over to Dean, "How many people have signed this mate?"

"All the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws, all the Slytherin girls and half of the boys."

"When you say all?"

"Yeah every one but you three."

"Whoa, does he have a choice?" Ron grinned. "I hope he doesn't feel pressured."

"Lets deliver it now, before dinner." Harry suggested, eager to deliver the news to his Godfather before he heard it on the grapevine.

The group turned and walked back out of the room, retracing their steps back to Sirius's rooms. Harry said the password for the painting, who waved cheerfully at Hermione after seeing her three times that day.

The made their way through the office to the sitting room, which was also deserted and sat down. "Sir its me again" Harry called out.

They heard water stopping from somewhere and a few minutes later Sirus entered the room with a small towel around his hips. He looked surprised to see Ron and Hermioen as well, and said. "Harry you idiot its not just you is it? Ta for the warning mate." He laughed and walked out. "Let me put some clothes on people."

"Mione, you can pick your jaw up of the floor." Ron said laughing at the expression on his best friends face.

"Excuse me Ronald, my jaw is not on the floor." She said sharply.

Harry laughed. "Please tell me your not one of them as well Mi?"

"One of who?" Sirius asked entering the room, trying to tie his long hair back into its ponytail.

"Nothing." Hermione said shooting warning looks at Ron and Harry.

"Oh right," Sirius said feeling a little hurt to be left out of the joke. "So what brings you three back so soon."

"Playing messenger." Harry said holding out the Parchment.

Sirius took it and unrolled it slowly. Reading it carefully. "Shame" he muttered handing it back to Harry.

"What is, aren't you gonna do it?" Harry said sharply.

"No." Sirius replied easily stretching out on the sofa.

"Why ever not we would've thought it would be exactly your kind of thing."

Sirius looked up, they all recognised the look in his eyes, he was winding them up, again. "Well I would have done it." He said with mock hurt, "but the three people I would have done it for ain't signed the parchment, so I can't see that its worth it."

They all laughed. Hermione pulled out her wand and transfigured a quill, signed the parchment and then handed them to Ron.

"You do know you could have just borrowed a quill, don't you?" Sirus said mildly.

"Do you even own a proper quill Sirius?" Hermione responded.

"How do you know that?" He said shocked.

"I think the whole school knew by the end of the first week, your quills tended to shrink by about 3 inches over a lesson." Harry pointed out. "You have no idea much respect that gained you. Merlin, could you imagine Snape using sugar quills." They all laughed.

The laughter was broken by a smooth voice. "So Mr Potter you find my rules about eating in the potions lab amusing do you?" They all froze and looked around the Room.

Harry turning spotted Ron whose face had turned the same colour as his hair, trying not to laugh. "Where the hell did you learn to do that you git?"

Ron managed to stop laughing for long enough to get out "Merlin, you should've seen your faces." The other three began to laugh along with him.

"Imagine the fun you could have with that." Sirius mused out loud.

"Like what?" Harry asked.

"As a teacher I don't think I should be a bad influence." Sirius said innocently.

"Does it involve standing behind a certain Slytherin and giving out 'detentions' pretending to be Snape does it?" Hermione asked.

"Why yes it does. You are quite the little Marauder aren't you." Sirius said as if talking to a three year old. "I wouldn't have thought of that from you Miss Granger."

"Ahhh yes. Mi's quite the dark horse. You should have heard what she said the other day." Ron cut in.

Hermione shot him a questioning glance, then realising what he was about to say she shook her head. Sirius catching the exchange pressed Ron to spill, but Harry cut in quickly to change the subject, "So Sir, how's Snivellus been behaving towards you, since you've arrived?"

"Same as always really, hasn't grown up in 20 years, sad really. Anyway enough about that loser."

"Speaking of not growing up." Hermione muttered playfully.

"Hey don't be cheeky, or I'll make Harry and Ron spill the beans." Sirius informed her.

"Hey what do you have that could possibly make us tell you about what Mi said about older men?" Ron asked innocently.

Hermione's head snapped up quickly as she glared at Ron.

"A word of advice mate." Harry said helpfully to Ron. "Run"

Ron didn't need telling twice, jumping up he sprinted down the hall way being chased by Hermione throwing various hexes and curses at him.

A/N: Sorry about the long time in updating people, I would run through all the reasons, but that would probably make this chapter double in length. So just be sure that I am sorry, and I won't take as long next time.

If you liked this fic click on my nameand have a quick peek at some of my others.

Lastly I would bevery grateful if you would spend a second or two letting me know what you think, so hit that review key. Ta.

Charlatan

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