Disclaimer: It wasn't mine the last 38 chapters before this so I'm not going to suddenly claim grand ownership now.

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Chapter 38: I could make a living out of loving you

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Hermione woke later on that night to be comfortably content as she lay covered in a billowing duvet with soft feathery pillows cradling her head. She opened her eyes and looked around wondering why Sirius' arms weren't in their rightful place; they, according to Hermione's view, were supposed to be wrapped affectionately around her waist.

She lifted her head off the pillows and saw the object of her affections sleeping soundly on the chair next to the bed a lock of hair falling nonchalantly across his face. She smiled at the sight and locked it away in her memory, gently brushing the hair back behind his ear with feather-like precision; it was moments like this that had got her through her twelve years of isolation.

"He was lost when you weren't here."

Hermione turned to find the source of the voice and was greeted by the sight of Harry sitting on the other side of her bed 'Well that explains lack of much wanted arm wrapping' Hermione thought with a smile before scooting over to the side of the bed next to her friend.

"I think he was even more lost than I was, but I didn't really pay much attention to anyone else at first," Harry confessed with a small smile.

"Bad dreams?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded in return, causing Hermione to sigh.

"Yeah." Hermione breathed out lightly. "Me too."

"Did you cry?" Harry asked suddenly

Hermione was shocked at the abruptness of the question and raised an eyebrow. "Not until Halloween."

Harry gave a sad sort of smirk, "Yeah, well, I haven't much either, it hasn't really sunk in yet you know, that I'll never see him again."

Hermione smiled sadly and went to sit next to Harry. "It will, eventually, I hope."

Harry gave her an odd look. "You've had what, thirteen years to deal with the fact that we lost him, am I really going to have to wait that long?" he asked a look of disbelief gracing his features.

Tears welled in Hermione's eyes and her voice was barely above a whisper. "I suppose I have had a while, but I haven't said goodbye."

Harry gave her a kind smile. "I might be able to help with that."

The pair were interrupted then by a soft knock at the door, they turned towards the source of the sound but Sirius was already walking over to answer it, neither of the other two knowing how long the Animagus had been awake.

"Hey Remus," Sirius greeted as he opened the door.

"Evening Pads, Albus asked me to bring this over, he though Hermione might like it." The werewolf gestured to something that was out of Harry's and Hermione's line of sight.

Sirius grinned and turned to Hermione before offering Remus a hand to lug in the Hogwarts trunk and lay it down in front of the shocked witch.

She stared at the old wooden trunk and brushed her fingers over the gold engraving. "Hermione Thomas," she breathed. "It seems like such a long time ago."

"Technically it was," Sirius said softly sitting on the bed opposite Harry and Hermione on the couch; Remus joined him as Hermione gently opened the old trunk.

A layer of fine dust covered most of the belongings and Hermione gently blew to clear some of it causing the males, notably the canine males, to cough as the fine particles rose into the air.

Hermione ignored the exaggerated hacking and continued to rifle through her old school supplies; there were books, lots of books, a few pairs of Hogwarts robes and some old muggle clothes, but it was what was at the bottom of the trunk that made Hermione gasp.

Delicately she pulled out the long dark cloak that Sirius had given her for Christmas, the velvet was still soft, the black still as black as night, it was in perfect condition.

Hermione swung the cloak around her shoulders and wandered over to the full length mirror, gazing at her reflection.

Sirius stood and wandered over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Perfect," he breathed.

Hermione smiled warmly at Sirius through her reflection and placed her hands on top of his. "I love you," she whispered out lightly.

Sirius grinned, giving her a smile he reserved entirely for the brown eyed witch. "Love you too."

Hermione slowly spun herself around in his arms and closed the distance between them, the feeling of his soft lips, long sought, almost brought her to her knees.

The sound of the door gently closing brought their attention to the rest of the room, now devoid of anyone else other than the pair

"I think we scared them off," Sirius said chuckling. "Now where were we?" he asked seductively raising an eyebrow at the witch while running a hand gently along her hairline.

"We were," Hermione started, beginning to unbutton his shirt. "Getting reacquainted."

Sirius was going to reply but found a moan was the only thing that could escape his mouth as he placed his lips over Hermione's once again, the kiss growing in intensity quickly.

Sirius' hands left trails of fire over Hermione's skin as he lay her down on the bed; their kisses were passionate, their gaze heated. Their first time had been sensual, this time they were both filled with a burning desire that could only be caused by their separation, a desire that made their skin tremble with every little morsel of contact made, their flesh ablaze for the first time in years.

They held eye contact as Sirius entered the witch below him, silver diffused with chocolate, as they moved with each other, love and longing reflecting in both pairs of eyes.

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Hermione stirred the next morning, the winter's sun streaming through the drapes, illuminating the god-like wizard sleeping soundly next to her. She grinned and snuggled closer to Sirius who pulled her closer in his sleep.

She lay there for a while, just staring at his content form, from the silky black hair to the chiseled cheek bones and jaw line.

The serene silence was interrupted however by the grumbling of Hermione's stomach. She blushed and glared at the offending piece of her anatomy for disturbing her study. When she raised her eyes back up she was greeted by a grin.

"Hungry," he asked raising his eyebrows.

Hermione nodded and he gently stroked her jaw with his knuckles. "Best we get up then huh?"

Hermione sighed lightly. "I could stay here forever."

Sirius grinned. "That would be nice but I don't particularly feel like starving to death, or worse, watching you waste away in front of my eyes." He leant in for a kiss before sliding out of the bed and heading for the shower.

Hermione lay under the soft covers for a few more minutes before dragging herself out and heading for the dresser, there was a box next to it with a small piece of parchment attached. She reached down and picked up the note and read, smiling as she did so.

'Wotcher Hermoine.

Remus suggested (that werewolf is really one big suggestion box) that you might need some clothes. So I went through some of my more, uh, conservative clothing, some from my training, some just some casuals, and packed some up for you. Hope I was some help.

Tonks

"More like a lifesaver," Hermione muttered to herself wondering how many times one person could say the word 'some' in a sentence, as she opened the box of clothes. She had decided pick some up in Hogsmead in the weekend but she was grateful she didn't have to walk around in the meantime in the clothes from her trunk that were two decades old.

She ended up deciding on a pair of thick black pants with pockets up the sides, similar to muggle combat pants aside from the small fact that the pockets could magically expand, and a snug white t-shirt which she covered with a pair of black robes.

Gone were the days of her black regulation school shoes, she grinned and pulled out a pair of scuffed black combat boots from the bottom of the box, the heel less than and inch high, perfect for walking around Hogwarts in.

Sirius entered the room then rubbing his damp hair with a towel and froze when he saw Hermione.

"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione?" he asked raising an ebony eyebrow.

"Do you not like it?" Hermione asked holding her arms out at her sides.

Sirius grinned. "Oh I like it alright, I could improve it slightly, make you look like one tough chick I could," he offered moving and placing his hands on her hips.

Hermione laughed. "I'm sure you could but I don't want to scare away the students."

"You won't scare them away, I do a good enough job of that already," he confessed.

"What? You were a great teacher."

"Well I haven't been the most chirpiest teacher for the past few months, gave Snape a run for his money I think, even the seventh years don't even dare to talk in my class."

"Sirius you big meanie," Hermione gasped feigning shock.

He chuckled and ruffled her hair slightly. "Come on lets get you fed."

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The couple did a quick stop at Dumbledore's office on the way to the Great Hall for a quick meeting about Hermione's situation at Hogwarts. Hermione's stomach however felt the need to protest the situation about once a minute so before she knew it she was standing outside the doors to the Great Hall, apprehension filling her eyes.

Sirius gave her hand an encouraging squeeze before leading her into the Hall. It took a few moments for the students to start to notice that their Transfiguration Professor wasn't alone.

"Who is that?"

"She looks familiar."

"She looks like Hermione."

The corner of Hermione's mouth twitched at the sound of Neville's voice, that boy could be more perceptive than he thought at times.

"She is with Professor Black? And I thought he had taste."

Sirius sent a glare in the direction of the Slytherin table shutting them up immediately.

Hermione seated herself between Remus and Sirius who, much to his displeasure was now seated next to Snape who didn't seem to be too thrilled with the situation either.

Hermione caught Harry's eye and he gave her an encouraging smile before turning back to the conversation he was having with Neville and Seamus.

"May I have your attention please," Professor Dumbledore called unnecessarily as most of the students attention was already on the front table. "I am pleased to announce that Miss Granger is back at Hogwarts,"

Every pair of eyes in the room turned simultaneously to Hermione, looks of shock and disbelief etched in their faces.

"But she's old."

Dumbledore chuckled at the response of the Professors at the word 'old' "Yes Mister Creevey she is older, but that is not my story to tell." He stated before continuing. "Miss Granger will be staying at Hogwarts, she has offered to do some research for me and I have asked her to fill in for Professor Lupin during the full moon."

Most of the hall smiled at this, that is, most of the hall aside from a certain group. The Slytherin table all wore identical looks of incredulity. The Headmaster was not a naïve wizard and continued, looking pointedly at the Slytherin table.

"I expect the same amount of respect from you that you show your other Professors. Now," he continued, the familiar sparkle back in his eyes. "I believe a number of Professors are quite hungry so I won't keep them from their food any longer."

With that the food appeared and Hermione began to pile her plate up with bacon and eggs while pulling over a bowl of porridge.

"Hungry much?" Remus asked raising an eyebrow at the amount of food in front of the witch.

Hermione nodded her mouth already busy with the food on her plate; she shot a glance at Sirius who was grinning at her appetite, while serving himself his own breakfast. He scowled however when Snape leant forward to address the Headmaster across the group.

"Headmaster, I am perfectly capable of filling in for Lupin," he said ignoring the low growl in the back of his neighbour's throat. "It is an important class, someone competent and qualified should be teaching it."

Hermione opened her mouth to retort but Dumbledore beat her to it. "Severus I can assure you that Hermione is extremely competent and qualified."

Hermione froze at this and Sirius grinned at her shocked expression, she turned to face the Headmaster and raised an eyebrow bidding the aged wizard to continue.

"Oh, did I not mention it?" he replied his eyes twinkling.

"No, that little fact seemed to have slipped," Hermione replied, all thoughts of food now out of her head as her education took over.

"You received no less than E's in all of your NEWTS and did extremely well in Defence Against the Dark Arts, in fact you managed to score the highest grade with only one other student equaling you standard."

"Who?"

"Moony here," Sirius answered grinning at his friend.

"Which is why this is a fitting situation, I'm sure you and Remus will do a brilliant job with our students," Dumbledore concluded sending a significant glance in the direction on the sullen greasy haired wizard at the end of the table.

Hermione blushed slightly and turned to the sea of students in front of her, smiling somewhat when she noticed that Harry looked particularly flustered as he fielded questions from his friends.

"I'm going to go and rescue Harry," she said, abandoning her food and standing up. Remus and Sirius glanced at the James look alike and grinned.

"Those Potters can get terribly flustered at times," Remus remarked.

"Hmmm," came Sirius' reply as he gazed at Hermione walking across the hall.

Remus chuckled at his friends affections, and apparently wasn't the only member of staff to notice it.

"Pathetic," remarked the Potions Master at the end of the table.

Sirius raised an eyebrow at Snape before turning to Remus. "I think old Snivellus here is in some need of love."

Snape sneered at the other wizard. "A convict and a Mudblood in love, in your case, it seems that indeed love is blind."

Sirius held his tongue and composure as he held back his fist which seemed to longingly want to meet the side of Snape's face. Instead he turned to the greasy haired wizard with a thoughtful expression

"I love is indeed blind," he pointed out while holding a straight face. "Then why is lingerie so popular?"

The werewolf beside him burst out laughing causing some of the students to look curiously at the head table, their usually calm and collected Defence Professor laughing like a teenager. The grinning Transfiguration professor also caught a few glances as it was almost as unheard of to see Professor Black smile as it was for Professor Snape to graciously treat the students equally.

Hermione glanced over her shoulder at the laughter and chuckled slightly at the two Marauders and a sullen looking Snape. 'Just add James and Lily and the picture would be perfect' she thought sadly as she neared her old fellow Gryffindors.

The group grew quiet as she approached and she saw the evident look of relief in Harry's face.

"Hi," she greeted as she went to the only available seat; to the right of Harry only to be halted by a group gasp, she raised her eyebrow in question and Harry cleared his throat nervously.

"It's ok Hermione you can sit there."

"And no-one else can?" she asked as she sat down.

"Well…uhh…" Harry didn't know what to say and Hermione looked around at everyone else wondering if she could decipher an answer from one of their faces.

"That was Ron's place," Ginny answered.

"Oh," Hermione said, smiling sadly in understanding 'always Harry's right hand man'

"So Hermione," Seamus started, changing the subject. "Where have you been? And why are you older did you take an aging potion or something?"

Hermione shook her head. "I went back to the past," she pause here to let the information sink in, the Gryffindors staring at her in shock.

"The-the past?" Neville asked "Like back in time?"

Hermione nodded

"How far?" Seamus asked leaning over the table curiously.

"Twenty years."

"Wow," Neville looked particularly shocked. "That's a long time."

"You look good for thirty eight Hermione," Seamus added after doing a quick calculation in his head.

"Thanks, but I'm thirty not thirty eight," she explained knowing full well what questions were to follow.

The others frowned trying to work the math out, while Hermione waited for the imminent question she noticed that Neville was staring thoughtfully at the head table.

"I don't get it," Seamus confessed, "inform us lesser beings please on your powers of eternal youth."

"I was in a Time Trap, Harry here knows more about it than I do so you can ask him."

Harry was about to launch into an explanation when Neville interrupted.

"Hey Hermione, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable but Professor Black is kinda checking you out."

Harry snorted as he held in his laughter, Hermione smiled at the messy haired teen before turning to the head table. "Is he now?" She caught Sirius grey eyes and he winked at her causing Neville to yelp slightly.

Hermione smiled and the confused boy across from her and stood.

"You guys need to get to class; I'll talk to you later."

Harry nodded having regained his composure. "I'll come see you later," he said finishing off his pumpkin juice.

Hermione grinned, the mischievous glint that she'd picked up from the Marauders flickering in her eyes. "Ok, just make sure to knock first, wouldn't want to scar you for life."

Harry's pumpkin juice was now in Neville's hair as he choked in shock, staring wide eyed at his friend. "Too late now, thanks," he said shaking his head, "don't need those images….nope…don't need them."

Neville now looked even more confused, except now he had orange hair to go with the expression.

Hermione just grinned and walked off leaving Harry to deal with the others questions; this was going to be a very interesting year indeed.