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o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oChapter 47: Always
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Anne Granger began the morning dishes as her husband untied a letter from the leg of one of the Hogwarts owls. "Hermione?" she asked as he gazed at the address.
"Looks like it," he replied turning the letter over in her hands. "Lets see what our little witch has to say."
Before John Granger had pulled the letter out of the envelope there was a knock at the front door, he paused in his actions to look at his wife. "I wonder who that could be," he pondered putting down the parchment and heading towards the door.
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A mid February afternoon found Hermione sitting quietly at the bedside of a sleeping blonde in Hogwarts infirmary. Malfoy had his head wrapped in bandages as the gashes on his face began to slowly fade with the help of Madame Pomfrey.
Her eyes glazed over as she thought back to the Order meeting that had taken place the previous evening. The entire affair had got off to a shaky start when an overly tired Sirius had managed to get himself into an argument with Molly concerning Harry being allowed to attend the Order meetings while said boy stood and watched with a slight frown. The fight had started to escalate before Hermione had pointed out that Harry was old enough to decide for himself if he wanted to come to the meetings or not. Molly had tried to argue further but was quickly whisked away by Arthur.
The next drama to unfold occurred when the Order began to discuss the events that put Draco Malfoy in the hospital wing. Hermione had announced, much to the disgust of her fellow professors, that when she taught defence the next full moon she would be teaching her classes how to defend themselves without a wand. The only staff members present that agreed with Hermione were Sirius and Remus. Amidst the loud protests from her colleagues Dumbledore told her that he would speak to her about it before the full moon the following week.
Once that subject had simmered down the discussion about Snape had begun. First it had been a quiet discussion on what had been found, it then escalated into an argument about the competence of the rescue party. Sirius had finally lost his temper at this point jumping to his feet and arguing with the accuser, Emmaline Vances companion whom Hermione still had yet to be introduced to. Tonks not liking to be left out of this small amount of action had leapt, albeit rather painfully, to her feet to join her cousin. An exhausted Hermione had sat back, not finding the energy to participate as Sirius seemed to be doing enough for the both of them. Remus sat beside her with a bemused expression as he watched the pair, occasionally throwing in his own two cents worth.
Hermione was brought back to the present when she heard familiar voices on the other side of the curtain.
"Can it come off yet?" Hermione heard the hopeful voice of Tonks ask.
"Sorry, the bone just hasn't healed," answered the medi-witch.
"But can't you just magic it better?"
"The break was too severe for that, you took quite a beating my dear."
Hermione frowned at the silence that followed; it was uncharacteristic of the energetic Auror not to respond to a comment like that. A few minutes later the medi-witch spoke again.
"Your hair looks lovely, that deep red really suits you, it's nice to see adults still embracing the day." This comment caused Hermione to frown again in confusion. "Are you doing anything special?"
'What is so special about today?' Hermione pondered before she realised that, due to her hectic week, she didn't even know what the date was, she reminded herself to ask Sirius about it later.
"I don't have anyone to do anything special with," Hermione heard Tonks reply somewhat wistfully.
"Nonsense," came Madame Pomfreys quick reply. "I've seen the way Remus looks at you, and he had to be forcefully removed from your beside to actually do his job."
Hermione felt herself grin, it appeared she wasn't the only one to notice the chemistry between the Werewolf and Metamorphmagus.
"You know it's rude to eavesdrop."
Hermione turned startled to the voice on the bed. Malfoy had his trademark smirk in place which seemed a little put out by the swollen lip and pair of black eyes.
Hermione sent one of her own back. "Well the conversation in here wasn't exactly enthralling."
Draco frowned. "What are you doing here anyway?"
Hermione sent the Slytherin a withering look. "I thought you'd like some company."
"Your life must be pretty dull," he remarked. "If you think spending time with an unconscious teen that used to pick on you good company you need to expand your social circle."
Hermione picked up on the humour traced in the dry drawl and smiled at him. "You're awake now; if you don't want my company I could always fetch Madame Pomfrey."
A look of horror passed across Malfoys face. "Merlin no, she'll be pinching and prodding me for Merlin knows how long."
Hermione smirked again, a habit she seemed to pick up around the blonde. "And you wouldn't enjoy it?"
Draco sent Hermione a glare. "I'm not Nott."
"Too true," Hermione agreed. Nott had been behaving in her class now and to a certain extent he did what he was told but, as Remus had warned her, the profanity coming out of his mouth made Hermione want to scourigify it, something she had barely held back doing on numerous occasions.
Draco held up a bandaged hand in front of his face. "I'm the top student in out year and I can't even defend myself against three housemates," he commented bitterly.
Hermione felt now was a good time to ask the question that had been hanging in the air since he had collapsed at her and Sirius' chambers two nights previous. "Who did this Draco?" she asked quietly.
It was hard to distinguish in the silence that followed whether or not Draco didn't reply because he didn't want to or if he was shocked speechless by the fact that she'd referred to him by his first name.
"It doesn't matter," he mumbled not meeting her penetrating gaze.
"Yes it does, who ever did this needs to be punished."
Draco sat there staring avidly at the wall behind Hermione, refusing to answer her question.
"Draco.." Hermione tried again.
"It's nothing," he snapped at her, bringing his steely eyes around to meet hers. "I've put up with this kind of thing for years I'm used to it."
Now it was Hermione's turn to be rendered speechless as she stared at the boy in the bed. "This has happened before?" she asked quietly when she found her voice again.
Draco suddenly seemed to suddenly find his bedding rather interesting. "Not here," he muttered so quietly Hermione barely caught the comment.
"At home?" Hermione asked.
"Do you want to know when I finally realised what my father really is was?" he asked, meeting her eyes once again but not answering her question. Not waiting for a reply the Slytherin continued to speak.
"It was that day in Hogsmead," he started looking out the window next to his bed in the direction of the small town. "I froze," he confessed. "All those years of being taught how to fight in Defence and I froze, I didn't run and flee like most of my housemates I just froze and watched others fight. I saw you fall under the Curatius, I saw Thomas fall before you cast an Unforgivable," Draco paused here and returned his gaze to Hermione. "You didn't notice, I don't think anyone did, but the hair spilling out of that wizards robes was blonde, I caught a glimpse of his face when you lifted your curse to go and help Weasely, it was then that I knew what my father was, but it was when I saw Ron jump in front of his sister that I realized that that was not how I was going to turn out. After years of conditioning by my father I realized that everything that had been dumped on me as I was growing up was archaic and barbaric, I wasn't going to follow the same path my father had"
If Hermione had been rendered speechless before then she didn't know what the hell was wrong with her now, she didn't gasp or reply in any way, she just sat there and held Malfoys gaze. Her eyes held no hatred, no disgust, not even a flicker of pity that he had been expecting to see, instead her gaze somewhat held a small amount of understanding.
"Ahem"
Draco and Hermione turned to the source of the interruption to find Remus standing at the edge of the curtains.
"Sorry to interrupt but I got sent on a search to find you, apparently I have nothing better to do with my time," he said to Hermione with a grin.
Hermione shook her head to clear it of the discussion she had just had with Malfoy. "Who sent you?" she asked slightly confused
"That fleabag of a mutt of yours did."
Just as Remus was saying this Madame Pomfrey bustled into the room to check on her patient.
"Ahh, Mister Malfoy, nice to see you awake," she said heading towards the blonde, who presently had a look of horror planted on his delicate features.
Hermione stood and bid farewell to the horrified teen as she wandered out of the hospital wing with Remus.
"Why didn't Sirius come and get me?" Hermione asked as they walked through the corridors
"He's getting ready."
"Getting ready for what, what is so special about today?" Hermione asked starting to get rather frustrated with her ignorance.
Remus sent her a sidelong glance. "You don't know what the date is do you?"
Hermione shook her head causing the sandy haired man to chuckle; he could have some fun with this.
"So…what's the date?" Hermione prodded.
"Hmm?" Remus asked acting innocent.
"Remus…"
"Yes?"
"The date?"
"In about thirty minutes I think," Remus answered glancing at his watch.
Hermione looked confused. "What in Merlin's name are you on?"
"What? You have a date with Sirius in about half an hour."
"What is the date?"
"I think that's supposed to be a surprise," Remus answered thoughtfully.
Hermione threw her hands up in the air and stepped up to the door of her and Sirius chambers muttering about 'bloody werewolves' as she strode into the room, Remus chuckling as he continued down the corridor.
Hermione saw the bathroom door closed and assumed Sirius was in there, her gaze shifted to the bed and she saw a long white box lying on it tied with a red ribbon. She wandered to the edge of the bed and read the card on the box.
Hermione
Love Bugs
Hermione smiled and untied the ribbon letting the silky material fall to the bed around the box. She gently opened the lid revealing a mass of black fabric in the box. Pulling the garment up by the top she let the knee length dress unfurl and wandered up to their full length mirror to hold it against herself. The fabric below her waist pooled in layers ending alternately at her knees as she stared at her reflection.
"I have a funny feeling it works better if you actually put the dress on."
Hermione turned with a smile to see Sirius dressed in black dress trousers and a deep blue shirt left open at the collar.
"What's this for?" she asked, her hands running over the fabric.
Sirius looked confused for a moment. "I'm taking you out for the night."
"Yes, Remus already told me that, a number of times actually, but you didn't have to buy me anything."
"Why wouldn't I want to spoil you rotten? It is the most romantic day of the year."
Hermione's eyes widened with realization "Merlin, I…I"
"You forgot?" Sirius supplied with a grin
"I…" Hermione looked on the verge of tears for forgetting and Sirius' expression immediately softened as he pulled her into his arms, being careful not to crease the dress that Hermione still held in her hands.
"It's alright," he murmured. "This is your night ok? I thought you might like to get away from it all."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you," she said giving Sirius a kiss. "Happy Valentines Day," she murmured against his lips.
"Happy Valentines Day love," he replied. "Now, go and get your pretty self ready," he said ushering her into the bathroom.
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Half an hour later found Sirius growing bored as he waited for Hermione to finish getting ready. The bathroom door opened and Hermione stepped out in the black halter neck dress that fitted her curves perfectly, the effect of the halter revealing her back was accentuated by her long curls pulled to the back of her head, with a few left from the mass to hang elegantly down her back.
Sirius stood in the centre of the room staring at her as she wandered over to him, her heels sounding on the stone floor with each step.
"Merlin you're beautiful," Sirius whispered huskily when he had found his voice.
Hermione smiled at the compliment and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You don't look to bad yourself."
Sirius leant in to claim her lips in a soft kiss before pulling back slightly, half way through this action however he changed his mind and pulled Hermione into a passionate kiss wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her as close to him as possible, Hermione bending backwards slightly at the intensity.
A few minutes late both were in need of essential oxygen and pulled back, breathing heavily. Hermione grinned and tenderly wiped the lipstick off Sirius lips.
"I don't know if I want to leave the room now," Sirius murmured as he held Hermione in his arms.
Hermione pouted. "But I just got all dressed up."
Sirius grinned. "You look gorgeous too. Come on I made reservations," he said taking hold of her hand and leading her out of the room.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked as they made their way down the corridors.
"That's a surprise, we'll apparparate here," he said handing her a piece of parchment for an address in the middle of muggle London.
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Sirius led Hermione into a small muggle restaurant in central London. It was a quaint little setting with soft lighting and a live band playing quietly in the corner. A waiter came and took Hermione and Sirius to a table in the corner lit by a single candle, Sirius pulled back Hermione's chair for her as she sat down before taking his own seat.
"It's beautiful," Hermione murmured when the waiter had left with their request for a bottle of wine.
Sirius smiled softly. "James brought Lily here once; she couldn't stop talking about it for weeks."
Hermione felt the familiar sting behind her eyes she always felt whenever she thought of her friends.
"I came to the conclusion that it was either the food or the fact that Prongs popped the big question here."
Hermione smiled. "I always wondered how he'd proposed, he loved Lily but he probably only had one romantic bone in his body."
Sirius chuckled and was about to say something when the waiter returned with a bottle of red wine and take their orders. Hermione grinned after she had ordered and watched Sirius ordered his appetiser and mains. 'Some things never change' she thought fondly as Sirius ordered enough food for the both of them.
"What?" he asked as he handed the menu back to the waiter and caught her staring at him fondly.
"How is it you can eat all that food and never put on any weight?"
Sirius grinned mischievously. "I use concealment charms remember?"
"That's right; you're really just a thirty eight year old fat wizard who has managed to enchant me to fall in love with you."
"That my dear was my own personal charm…er…you know what I mean."
Hermione smiled. "Right I can't resist your devilishly handsome looks."
"Not to mention my charming personality," Sirius paused. "And my modesty."
Hermione smiled softly and held Sirius silver eyes with her own. "You forgot to mention you can make my knees weak with that smile you save just for me, or the fact that you send shivers down my spine with every little touch, that my heart bursts every time you kiss me…"
Sirius reached over and took Hermione's hand in his and grinned when he saw a slight shiver go down her spine.
"See."
Sirius leant across the table and kissed Hermione softly on the lips. "You forgot to mention how good I am in bed," he murmured before settling back down in his seat, Hermione's hand still cradled in his own.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Can you men not think about anything else?" she asked with a grin.
"Sure we can," Sirius replied, "but it doesn't mean we will."
Hermione shook her head and sat back slightly as the waiter brought the couple their entrées.
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"I'm telling you they're not doing anything," Sirius said stubbornly grinning at Hermione sitting across from him as they finished their meal.
"But it's Valentines Day, Tonks is staying with him, there'll be him and her….alone."
"They spend time alone every night, tonight won't be any different."
"It's different for us."
Sirius grinned. "Yes but that's because we are a couple, Remus and Tonks are not."
"I'm not the only one who sees it you know," Hermione pointed out.
"And pray-tell who else can see this 'thing' that Tonks and Moony supposedly have."
"Madame Pomfrey."
Sirius snorted into his wine. "Poppy just likes a little bit of juicy gossip."
"It's more than just gossip," Hermione argued.
Sirius shook his head. "It must be a female thing, I for one can't see anything."
"Yes but you're a male so that's understandable."
Sirius pretended to look affronted as Hermione grinned at him across the table.
Out of the corner of his eye Sirius noticed a group of couples dancing slowly on the small dance floor offered to the diners, he grinned and stood holding out a hand to Hermione.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked.
Hermione smiled knowing the Remus and Tonks debate was over again, and allowed herself to be lead out onto the dance floor. Sirius took Hermione in his arms as they swayed slowly to the soft music.
"Tell me how James proposed to Lily," Hermione asked quietly as she rested her head on Sirius shoulder.
"Honestly I don't know," Sirius murmured. "Neither of them told us, all Lily could go on about was how romantic it was. We could all see she wanted to tell someone in particular though."
"Who was that?"
"You," Sirius replied gently.
"Oh," Hermione didn't know what to say to this so just lost herself in Sirius arms, closing her eyes as her thoughts traced back to the times she'd spent with Harry's mum. A few minutes later she felt Sirius shift slightly as if he was nervous or uncomfortable about something, causing Hermione to open her eyes.
She was greeted by Sirius presenting her a small blue velvet box; she lifted her head off Sirius shoulder to look him in the eyes. They stopped dancing and stood in the middle of the dance floor their arms still wrapped around each other save for the one Sirius was using to hold up the gift.
"This day twenty years ago I asked you to be my Valentine," he murmured not breaking the eye contact. "Tonight I have a different question," he said quietly. Hermione could feel her heart rate rise as she waited for Sirius to continue. "Hermione. Will you give me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Hermione felt tears of joys sting at her eyes as Sirius opened the box revealing a simple gold band with a row of sparkling diamonds across the centre.
"Of course I will Sirius," she replied shakily as he slipped the ring on her finger before pulling her into a tight embrace. "I love you," she said, a tear escaping and falling down her cheek.
"Love you too," he said brushing away the tear before moving in for a soft kiss.
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Hermione and Sirius left the restaurant with Sirius arm place snugly around Hermione waist as he steered her down the street.
"Where are we going now?" she asked quietly, she had assumed they would head back to the aparation point to go back to Hogwarts.
"The nights not over yet," Sirius replied chuckling as they made their way past small shops. Sirius was drawn to one particularly bright shop and stopped outside of it to watch the small television screen in the window. Hermione glanced at the sign hanging over the path that read 'Adventure Tourism' she sent Sirius a puzzling look but he appeared to be enthralled at what was being played on the TV.
Hermione grinned as she watched someone throw themselves off a bridge while attached to a cord before they bounced back up again.
"What in Merlins name are they doing?" Sirius asked her with a horrified expression.
"It's called Bungy Jumping," Hermione answered. "I would have thought it would look like fun to you Mr I owned a flying Motorcycle and occasionally ride a broom like a maniac."
Sirius turned to face Hermione. "But I'm not throwing myself of a bridge attached by a flimsy rope around my ankles," he stated as they began to walk down the street again, Hermione still not knowing where they were headed.
"Yes you are," Hermione said her eyes lighting up mischievously.
"What do you mean by that?" Sirius asked puzzled.
"If Remus and Tonks get their act together before the end of the term you have to do a Bungy," she stated with a grin.
Sirius looked mortified for a moment before grinning back at her. "Ok, but if you lose then you jump." He knew it would be hard for Hermione to accomplish throwing herself off a bridge if she was nervous when getting on a broom.
"Deal."
"Deal."
They shook hands, both silently confident it would be the other doing the jumping.
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The couple walked for a while longer enjoying each others company as Sirius led her to the hotel he had booked a room in for the night. They were across the road from the rather large building with an elegant entrance when the heavens decided to open sending a torrent of water down on the street. Hermione and Sirius stood in the shelter looking across the street at their destination.
Sirius glanced sideways at Hermione. "We could apaparate," he suggested.
Hermione grinned and bent down to take off her shoes. "Or we could run," she said, a mischievous glint forming in her eyes. Sirius grinned and nodded, the pair moved to the edge of the footpath and waited for the road to be clear before moving out under the rain. Hand in hand they ran across the street. Before they reached the other side however Sirius spotted a rather large puddle before the curb. He paused momentarily to sweep his fiancé up in his arms and carry her across the small expanse of water, both laughing as the downpour soaked through their clothing. Sirius kept Hermione in his arms until they'd reached the canopy to the entrance of the hotel.
Sirius place Hermione back down on her feet. "I have wet socks," he muttered.
"You have wet everything," Hermione pointed out grinning at Sirius' hair plastered to his head, her breath hitched when she noticed his shirt now showed every contour of his chest and the way Sirius was looking heatedly at her it seemed she had the same issue with her dress. He took Hermione's hand and led her quickly into the lobby, a large grin plastered on his face as he strode determinedly up to the front desk wanting to get to their room as soon as possible.
"Reservation for Black," he said to the startled man at the desk
"Raining?" the clerk asked taking in the couple's drenched appearance.
"No we just decided to take a swim in the middle of the night with our clothes on," Sirius muttered. "Yes it's raining, now, my fiancée here is wet and cold if we could get the key to our room that would be great."
Hermione felt Sirius hand start to travel up and down her back and leaned into the touch wanting now to get to the room as desperately as the man next to her.
"Yes of course, I apologize," the man behind the desk said glancing at his computer screen. "Black was it?" he asked.
"Yes."
The man handed over a swipe key. "Here you go level forty room two three zero zero."
Sirius took the key and nodded in thanks as he pulled Hermione along to the elevators, as soon as the door opened revealing an empty compartment Sirius swept Hermione in and had his lips on hers as soon as the door was closed. Hermione tangled her fingers in his wet hair as his hands roamed south of her back to lift her up against him
"Sirius…." Hermione said, attempting to break the kiss.
"Mmmm," Sirius replied as he pressed himself into her lips again.
"Button," was all Hermione could manage. Sirius seemed to cotton on though and lowered Hermione to the floor so he could press their desired floor button, before the lift began to move however the bell dinged and the doors opened to let an elderly couple dressed in their best enter.
Sirius stifled a moan. "Which floor are you after?" he asked.
"Forty five, thank you my dear," the woman answered as Sirius pushed the button five floors above their own.
Hermione could feel the frustration radiating off the black haired wizard and grinned, she glanced at the other couple and positioned herself so her back was facing them, standing between them and Sirius Sirius. Sirius looked at her, his eyes filled with desire as she smiled sweetly up at him causing him to raise an eyebrow. She reached out and placed her hand on his chest and stepped closer making the appearance that she just wanted to be held by him, he complied by resting an arm around her waist. Hermione however had other plans and traced a path down Sirius chest till she reached his belt causing his breath to hitch and his eyes to dart to the floor display, currently indicating they were at floor twenty. Hermione moved her hand lower and ran her fingernail down the zipper of his pants, teasing him as she smiled seductively.
Sirius bent down and whispered in her ear. "You are evil."
Hermione merely grinned but was quickly swept out of the lift by Sirius as the doors opened to their floor. The couple barely managed to get their door to their room open before they were all over each other. Sirius had Hermione pressed up against the door as she wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling his hardness through his trousers as he worked at removing her dress. Still holding her in his arms Sirius carried Hermione to the bed and lay her down taking her dress with him as he did so before ravishing her mouth once again.
Hermione began to unbutton Sirius shirt but soon became frustrated with the task and ripped it down the centre sending buttons flying.
"Hey, I liked that shirt."
"I'll buy you a new one," Hermione replied sitting up and meeting his mouth again. "These have to go," she said beginning to undo Sirius pants.
Sirius complied and lost his trousers and boxers in one go his hard member now pressed up against Hermione as they lay back down on the bed, with a quick spell Hermione's elegant lingerie disappeared and she stared up at Sirius.
"You're going to have to teach me that one," she said breathlessly.
"Sorry it's only given on a need to know basis," he replied grinning down at her as he reached down and trailed one of his hands up the inside of Hermione's thigh.
"You can't tell me?" she asked moaning as Sirius fingers entered her.
"Sorry, by need to know I mean it's a little trick us wizards know, can't have you witches knowing absolutely everything now can we?"
Whether or not this concerned Hermione Sirius didn't know as she pulled him down on top of her for a deep kiss. Sirius removed his fingers from her warmth causing a small moan of protest to escape her lips. Sirius paused slightly as he positioned himself between her legs, and met Hermione's eyes, she knew what he was asking and he knew the answer as she stared back up at him. He quietly murmured the spell he'd forgotten that one fateful night, before he entered her causing now a moan of pleasure to escape her lips as Sirius began to move in and out, knowing exactly how Hermione liked it, while his hands continued their mistretions over her creamy skin
"Sirius," Hermione moaned in pleasure as she began to climax, Sirius covered her mouth with his own in a passionate kiss as Hermione came causing Sirius to be sent over the edge as he sent his ineffective seed into her.
He lay down on top of her, resting for a moment before rolling off her and pulling her into his arms.
"I love you," he murmured looking into her chocolate eyes.
"Love you too," Hermione replied giving him a soft kiss before placing her head on his shoulder as he pulled the blankets up around them.
