Disclaimer: I do not own or have any rights to Harry Potter or any of the chapter titles 11 onward

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Chapter 17: In these Arms.

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As Valentines Day approached Hermione tried to ignore the mushiness of her fellow students, she also tried to ignore the looks most of the female population of Hogwarts were sending Sirius.

What irritated Hermione the most however were the quiet whispers in the corner between members of her house, talking that seemed to stop when only herself approached. She wondered if it was because of the incident in the Great Hall, she did act rather odd to those that didn't know the truth; she wouldn't be at all surprised if they were talking about her behind her back.

What Hermione didn't realize however was that her housemates were talking about her, just under a different context than she assumed. Word got around the Gryffindor house fast about Sirius Black's plans and, being the popular boy he was, not to mention having friends in high places, best friends in fact, the house managed to keep Hermione out of the loop, and help the black haired youth plan the surprise.

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Tuesday, February 14 1978

Most students were torn this day, on one hand it was supposed to be the most romantic day of the year, on the other, this most romantic day of the year also happened to fall on a normal school day.

Presently Hermione was sitting in Defense against the Dark Arts trying hard to suppress her laughter. Sitting next to James was a sullen faced Animagus currently piled under cards, chocolates and numerous bouquets of flowers. Since breakfast there had been a constant stream of Valentines for Sirius, Hermione herself had one for said boy but planned on giving it to him later when all the hype had died down.

On the way to the Great Hall for dinner Sirius was cornered by a leggy, blonde Ravenclaw, Hermione recognized her as being the girl Sirius ignored the day of the first Quidditch match. Before Sirius could react the blonde had practically shoved two dozen red roses in his arms and given him a peck on the check.

"Happy Valentines Sirius," she said silkily. Hermione thought she would be sick at the excessive sweetness.

"Uhh thanks Natasha," Sirius stuttered, obviously uncomfortable with the situation.

Beside her Remus whispered in her ear. "Natasha Tyler, seventh year Ravenclaw and the self proclaimed ring leader of the Sirius Black fan club."

As Natasha walked off swinging her hips seductively, Sirius turned pale faced to the others.

"I'm taking these to my room, save me some food." He said and walked off eyes darting around, desperate to make it back to the common room without further unwelcome incidents.

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Hermione watched curiously as the Great Hall emptied after dinner, everyone was leaving apart from her own house. She was beginning to wonder if the Marauders had glued them all to their seats. Once the hall was empty of all non-Gryffindors James stood and addressed his house.

"As most of you will already know, tonight we are holding our mass annual game of hide and seek," he stated, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Hermione eyebrows shot up at this. 'Hide and seek?'

"Rule number one," James continued. "No-one is allowed back into the common room until the game is over or ten o'clock catches up to us. The password back into the Gryffindor tower has been changed so that only Lily or I know it…..uhh that's about it I'm sure you're all familiar with the game, now Miss Thomas," he said turning to Hermione. "Would be please be so kind and collect Mister Black from the common room, I believe he's hiding, very un-Gryffindor like, from his fan club."

The house erupted in laughter at this and James bent down to Hermione. "The passwords Rosa richardii, Remus will go with you."

Confused by the events Hermione found herself heading for the Portrait hole with Remus, when they reached their destination Remus turned to Hermione. "I'm going to head back, I'm sure you and Sirius can find your way back to the Great Hall."

He gave her a quick wink and walked away, Hermione, puzzled stood for a minute before turning to the Pink Lady. "Rosa richardii," she said to the Pink Lady, who smiled and opened the door.

Hermione froze as she gazed into what she thought was her common room. The large torches usually lighting up the room had been extinguished, in their place were hundreds of small red and white candles, each with their own small flame, bathing the room in a soft light.

Entranced Hermione slowly stepped into the room and looked around. Gone were the chairs in front of the fire, instead stood a large black grand piano. What made Hermione's breath hitch however was the gorgeous young man sitting at the piano dressed in black pants and a black silk shirt left open at the collar.

Sirius smiled and motioned for her to sit next to him at the piano, not once breaking eye contact.

"Sirius," Hermione started but was silenced when he gently placed a finger over her lips. He gave her a smile and turned to the instrument in front of him, his fingers started to move gracefully over the keys and the beautiful voice her and Lily had had a sneak of at Christmas resurfaced.

"Sitting here wasted and wounded, at this old piano,
Trying hard to capture the moment, this morning I don't know,
'Cause a bottle of vodka's still lodged in my head,
and some blonde gave me nightmares I think that she's still in my bed,
as I dream about movies they won't make of me when I'm dead."

Hermione had never felt so light. Her heart was rapidly picking up speed as she watched Sirius hands move gracefully over the keys.

"With an ironclad fist I wake up and French kiss the morning,
While some marching band keeps its own beat in my head while we're talking,
About all of the things that I long to believe, about love and the truth,
And what you mean to me and the truth is…"

Sirius looked up from the piano then and met her eyes.

"Baby you're all that I need."

The butterflies currently residing in Hermione's stomach quickly grew.

"I want to lay you down on a bed of roses,
For tonight I sleep on a bed of nails,
I want to be, just as close as, the Holy Ghost is,
And lay you down………on a bed of roses."

Hermione could feel her hands begin to shake, as to listened to his words. His words for her.

"Well I'm so far away, that each step that I take's on my way home,
A king's ransom in dimes I'd give each night to see through this payphone,
Still I run out of time, or it's hard to get through,
Till the bird on the wire flies me back to you,
I'
ll just close my eyes and whisper,

Baby blind love is true."

Hermione felt her eyes close so all she would take in was the sound of his music coursing through her veins.

"I want to lay you down on a bed of roses,
For tonight I sleep on a bed of nails,
oohhh I want to be, just as close as, the Holy Ghost is,
And lay you down………on a bed of roses."

"Well this hotel bars hangover whiskey's gone dry,
the barkeeper's wigs crooked and she's giving me the eye,
well I might have said yeah,
but I laughed so hard I think I died."

"oohhh yeah."

Sirius closed his own grey eyes as he lost himself in the music, his hands faltering slightly when Hermione moved closer to watch his hands move skillfully over the keys as he poured out his soul.

"Now as you close your eyes know I'll be thinking about you,
while my mistress she calls me to stand in her spotlight again,
tonight I won't be alone, but you know that don't mean I'm not lonely,"

"I've got nothing to prove for it's you that I'd die to defend"

Hermione's heart skipped a beat at the meaning behind his words, and was startled when Sirius waved his wand so the piano would play itself and gathered her in his arms as they stood and rocked slowly to Sirius' voice.

"I want to lay you down on a bed of roses,
For tonight I sleep on a bed of nails,
I want to be, just as close as, the Holy Ghost is,
And lay you down..."

"I want to lay you down on a bed of roses,
For tonight I sleep on a bed of nails,
I want to be, just as close as, the Holy Ghost is,
And lay you down………

"On a bed of roses."

Hermione, who had rested her head on Sirius' shoulder, looked up into grey eyes.

"Hermione?" he asked quietly, "Will you be my Valentine?"

"I would love to Sirius," she whispered back, not trusting her voice at any higher volume.

Sirius smiled and moved his face closer to her own, "You are so beautiful," he whispered before he placed his lips on her own.

Hermione felt like she would melt as she felt Sirius' soft lips against hers. Sirius slowly pulled away and Hermione let out a small moan in protest. He chuckled and gently rested his forehead against her own as he reached up and stroked one of her cheeks.

"I've got something for you," he said softly.

Hermione was barely registering anything past their kiss but allowed herself to be led to the sofa where she sat next to Sirius. He put one of his hands in his pocket and pulled out a small box.

"Happy Valentines," he said passing it to her.

Hermione accepted the gift and slowly opened the red velvet box. She gasped as she took the gold locket out of the box. It was beautiful; she had never received such an exquisite gift before

"Thank you Sirius," she whispered as he took the locket from her and gently placed it around her neck.

"You're welcome," he replied reaching over and brushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

Their eyes met again and Sirius leaned in for another kiss. Hermione felt his arms wrap around her waist and she snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Much to Hermione's pleasure Sirius didn't pull away this time but deepened the kiss, asking for entry by running his tongue over her bottom lip. Hermione responded allowing him access to explore her mouth, her hands tangling in his soft black locks.

Eventually they both had to stop for air and the reluctantly broke apart.

"Wow," whispered Sirius catching his breath.

Hermione smiled at this and ran a hand down his cheek. "Thank you for all of this Sirius, it's amazing. I have something for you too," she told him. "Wait here," she said giving him a quick kiss before standing up and running up to her dorm.

Sirius stood and moved to the center of the room, listening to the music still coming from the piano, as he waited for Hermione to return.

A minute later Hermione walked up to him and handed him a small box.

"Happy Valentines," she said.

"Thank you," he whispered claiming her lips once again with his own. His arms dropped to her waist and he pulled her closer deepening the kiss.

Hermione laughed against his mouth and pulled away.

"You haven't opened it yet."

"I don't care, I've got what I need standing right in front of me," he said huskily.

Hermione smiled at the compliment, blushing slightly. "Just open it."

Sirius looked down at the small box in his hands and opened it. Inside was a gold ring engraved with flames holding a ruby between them.

"Hermione…It's beautiful, thank you," he said slipping the ring onto his ring finger of his right hand.

"You're welcome," she replied as she drew him in for another kiss.

They broke apart after a few minutes and Hermione rested her head on Sirius shoulder as they slowly danced to the music.

A soft "Ahem" from the portrait entrance brought their attention to James and Lily standing there watching the couple dance, grinning like madmen.

"I see you've accomplished your task Padfoot," James said smiling at his friend. "And I really hate to interrupt but it's almost ten and some of the first years are tired."

Sirius chuckled as Hermione buried her head in his chest in embarrassment. He glanced at James and nodded to let people back in, a little disappointed that the night had gone by so quickly.

He turned back to the girl in his arms and put a finger under Hermione's chin, tilting her head so he could look into her beautiful eyes. He did a slight double take however when soft grey eyes met two pools of a deep, rich chocolate brown.