Chapter 16: Midnight Dreams

"Come on Hermione," Sirius said, pulling her through the forest by the lake.

"Sirius, it is almost midnight, it is cold, and I am walking through a foot of snow. Do you honestly think that I'm going to be excited and move fast?"

Sirius just smiled his doggy grin. "Come on sweetheart."

Hermione grumbled but followed him anyways. "Just where are we going anyways?"

"To your Christmas present," Sirius said seriously.

"My Christmas present? How sweet of you to put it out here in the middle of a very cold forest," Hermione said not bothering to hide the sarcasm in her voice.

Sirius stopped and turned to smile at her. He gently touched her cheek and lightly kissed her lips. "It will be worth it darling."

He turned and started off again, dragging Hermione along. She stared at the back of a man who in the future would be dead. He was also Harry's godfather. Yet in this time, she allowed him to steal her heart. Love was a dangerous game and she knew when it was all over, she would walk away the loser.

She could not change the past, she reminded herself. Changing one event would set off a series of chain reactions. That could not happen. So, she would play the game for now.

Sirius stopped abruptly at the site of a weeping willow by the lake. The moonlight allowed Hermione to see through the branches and leaves. Inside, hidden by the enclosure of leaves, was a blanket and food.

Smiling at Sirius, she walked slowly towards it. It was truly beautiful and the fact that he prepared all of this thrilled her. He obviously thought this through.

She surveyed the romantic scene. Two butterbeers sat side by side on the blanket. An assortment of food was scattered across the blanket, covered by silver lids. Two candles floated over the blanket and a nightingale was singing its' song.

"Oh Sirius, it's lovely," Hermione said once she finally found her voice.

Sirius smiled, "So was it worth it?"

"You know it was," she smiled at his teasing.

"Yeah I know it, I just wanted to hear you say it." He smiled down at her. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," she said and brought his head down and kissed him. "This is the best Christmas present I have ever received."

He smiled and kissed her. "Well then, have a seat," he said motioning to the blanket.

She sat down and he sat down beside of her. (A/N the blanket is magical so the snow does not get them wet) Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her towards him. She watched as he uncovered the dishes one by one.

She laughed when she saw what he had brought for them to eat. Pumpkin pastries, chocolate frogs, and Cauldron Cakes filled each dish. Only one dish held some real food, chicken wings.

He grabbed a chicken wing and took a bite. Hermione was instantly reminded of her fourth year when they took him up some chicken to the cave he was hiding in. he cherished it then and at it hungrily like there would be no tomorrow.

Her sadness must have shown on her face because he was instantly looking concerned. "What's wrong? Have I done something wrong?"

Hermione looked at him and smiled to ease his concern. "No Sirius, you've done everything right. I was just reminded of another time, another place. This is everything I could of ever dreamed of, except the snow we're sitting in. Thank you Sirius, for this gift."

He smiled at her. "You're quite welcome Hermione." He kissed her and then handed her a pumpkin pastry.

She laughed. "You know Sirius, you better be careful," she warned.

"And why is that?"

"Because with all this romantic stuff, you are making me fall in love with you."

Sirius smiled, "And that Hermione is one of the best presents I could ever receive."

And in the soft glow of the moonlight shimmering through the leaves, he kissed her.

A/N Okay…whew, got updated. I'm trying to stick to at least one chapter a day. How did you guys like that? I hope ya did…I probably will get another chapter updated tonight because I can't go tan. Smart me didn't put enough tanning lotion on my back and I look like a freaking lobster. Oh well, it looks funny. Thank you to all my loyal reviewers out there for hanging in there with me. Please read and review…Oh, and if you want, check out my other story. Thanks!