o-o-o-o-o-

CHAPTER TWO

FEELINGS HURT

-o-o-o-o-o-

"Hello, Hermione! I just wondered..."

The visitor broke off, staring at Sirius.

"Hi, Bill! Please come in! Sirius decided to drop in and..."

Hermione scowled at Bill.

"I thought you had gone back to Egypt," said Sirius suspiciously – by way of greeting, perhaps.

"Er... it's near Christmas now, isn't it? I came here for a week," said Bill. His original cheery face had suddenly turned serious.

"You two can talk, I have work to do," said Hermione, somewhat snappishly and stalked off to her room before either of the man could say a thing.

o-o-o-o-o-

"Sirius, are you not supposed to be at Grimmauld Place?" asked Bill, making an attempt to break the ice between them.

"And you at the Burrow!" retorted Sirius.

"I came to ask Hermione to come down this year..."

"Knowing that she would refuse?"

"It's just because of Ron... we could settle that..."

"You are forgetting Fred, George, Ginny – and of course, Molly!" said Sirius sarcastically.

Bill just shrugged.

"I heard... shouting..." said Bill, effectively looking away from Sirius, but managing to keep him within vision.

"You know why I am here – I want to know what happened that night when Harry was attacked," said Sirius flatly. His voice gained more chagrin as he said, "But Hermione seems to think that there are things that Harry would like to keep from me... not want ME to know!"

'So that's what she has come up with,' thought Bill. A small sigh escaped him – but did not go unnoticed by Sirius.

"Perhaps you can help?" he asked shrewdly.

"M-Me? No! I mean... what do I know about it? I wasn't even in England – but Egypt," said Bill.

Was Sirius imagining or Bill seemed to resemble that chocolate-haired girl with this stuttering response?

Maybe...

Sirius decided to try again. After all, experience taught him very well that Bill Weasley wasn't here just for inviting Hermione where she was now going to be always unwelcome.

"Hermione mentioned that I ask you. Now why would she say that if she wasn't sure that you knew something?"

An arrogant Marauder's words... he was just playing on it, but he hoped it worked.

"Hermione said that?" asked Bill, doubt hanging on to each sound coming out of his throat.

"That's what I heard."

o-o-o-o-o-

Hermione was certainly not a gossiper – consequently, she wasn't an eavesdropper. But she had to chance it now. She had to listen to what Bill said to Sirius in order to play up with him later.

But Sirius was telling fibs! The name of the eldest son of Arthur Weasley had certainly not been mentioned until he had come there in person... and Sirius knew... well, of course he didn't know anything as such, but still he was suspicious. Hermione had always frowned upon a bit on Bill's careless style of doing about everything and now he comes here without warning – well, for no perceptible... real... reason – in Sirius' eyes. Of course, Sirius was suspicious.

She sighed as she recalled how many times she had told him that he was to send her an owl before he came here.

Even on this side of the door she could feel Bill's dubiousness. He was not stupid to fall for that, but still, he wasn't quick enough to invent anything right then.

It was time for her to interfere.

Really! Sirius Black was getting on her nerves!

o-o-o-o-o-

"Bill."

Both the men turned to her. While a flicker of relief passed on the younger face, the darker man's brows came together in a scowl.

"You know I can't come down... I am sorry... We could meet at the café later, though."

Hermione determinedly ignored the deepening frown and gazed meaningfully – almost wistfully at Bill.

"Yes, sure... see you later."

o-o-o-o-o-

"Sirius..."

"So he's in it, too!"

"Listen..."

"Who else is there in your plan?"

"Really, now..."

"Perhaps a certain blonde who was Harry's enemy!"

That startled Hermione badly. Was his pointing towards Draco Malfoy meaningful – or was he just trying to irritate her?

"Sirius..."

"Don't think that I don't know that you and that Malfoy brat were over-friendly since seventh-year!" spat Sirius angrily. "And for all we know, he might have killed Harry – and he couldn't have got Harry without the help of someone who was close to Harry!"

Hermione's eyes blazed with the fury that was building up in her.

"ENOUGH! You accused me of something as heinous as murder – and that too of my best friend! And then you say that I am involved with Draco and that Draco and I... Sirius Black, much as I respect you, I will NOT refrain from showing you that you are being ABSOLUTELY STUPID AND THE GREATEST IDIOT AND NUISANCE in the world right now! You don't listen and you just blame without caring one whit about MY feelings! Not that you ever did..." she added bitterly.

Sirius was momentarily startled as the usually quiet and shy girl yelled at him fiercely. And what was that he felt? A twinge of guilt... Maybe he had pushed it too far this time.

"I'll care for your feelings," said Sirius, haughtily – he was SIRIUS BLACK and he wasn't standing shouting by this little chit. "I am going. But don't think anything is over. Everything has just begun!"

"Threatening me, are you?" asked Hermione, undaunted. She had spent full seven years under the nastiest Potions Master in the world – and Sirius didn't compare to him in his meanness.

"Whatever! Just remember that it is not over. Whoever has killed Harry will pay! I will make sure of that!"

And throwing her a dark look, he pulled on his cloak and hood and made his exit, leaving behind a girl – a woman – torn between fury and tears.

o-o-o-o-o-

Hermione groaned as her headache worsened. She hadn't been able to concentrate on anything since her quarrel with Sirius and though she had convinced herself that none of it was her fault, she still couldn't help feeling bad about it all. It wasn't like her to scream at people – much less at Sirius Black. He was a difficult person by habit and there seemed to be no reason why he would change now. In his anger, he reminded her of Severus Snape. There wasn't much difference between the two except in looks. But even then, Severus Snape was handsome in his own dark way.

She went over the list of people she could ask for help with... with... She didn't know what she had got herself caught in. Bill was to be trusted but he was a very careless person – and indiscreet. No, he couldn't help her – share her troubles. If he had been capable he would have done that far before now.

Her mind flickered over to Draco after that. It was true that Draco had not gone over to the Dark Side (under the strong influence of Severus Snape). He had spied on his father (one of the few to break out of Azkaban during the Final War).

And one day, Hermione had found him near the Forbidden Forest – bleeding and near to death. Much to his displeasure, she had helped him and taken him to Snape's office. That was the first time Snape had ever praised her, "Miss Granger, it was good thinking on your part that you did not take Draco to the Hospital Wing."

Hermione smiled as she remembered that. She would never forget that the greatest evil of a teacher had praised her. But, not to her surprise, he had turned nasty again the next day.

It hurt to think that Sirius had never praised her for anything even though that evil professor had.

iThis is stupid! He hates me! And I should hate him for how he treats me/i

Hermione went over to her bookcase. She needed some new books. Well, book-shopping for a while would ease out her nerves.

o-o-o-o-o-

"Hey, pretty! Haven't seen you around seen last Christmas!"

Hermione, who was too engrossed reading the book she had come across, didn't notice the blonde man at first.

"I said," the man repeated, snatching the book from her hands, "I haven't seen you for almost a year now."

Hermione, who had been about to tell off the person who had so rudely interrupted her reading, blinked away her anger and smiled as she noticed Draco Malfoy frowning at her in mock anger.

"Draco! What are you doing in here?"

"This seemed like a shop to me, so I thought I would buy something from here," said Draco, rolling his eyes.

"In case you have forgotten, Mr. Malfoy, this is a book shop."

"Can't I be in one?"

"No."

"That's offending, Miss Granger!"

"But seriously, Malfoy, what are you doing here?"

"My academic interests are not an excuse?"

Hermione snorted and rolled her eyes.

"I wanted to meet you," said Draco, shrugging.

An image of a very angry Sirius Black crossed her mind.

"And maybe I am right in suggesting that we can't talk in a very public place like this?"

"The day you make a mistake, Miss Granger, I will shower you with Galleons."

"Not much of a temptation, Mr. Malfoy."

"How about I'll marry you?"

"Oh God! I have to be extremely cautious that I won't make a mistake from now onwards!" said Hermione, pretending horror.

"Miss Granger, I happen to be the most eligible bachelor in the whole of United Kingdom – maybe in whole Europe – who knows... maybe in whole world..."

"Spare me!" said Hermione, stifling a laugh.

"Seriously, Granger, can't you ever be wrong?"

"I have been wrong just too many times, Draco" said Hermione picking up the books and going over to the counter, "I just remember to learn from them."

"Yes, but you won't ever learn from the mistake who is called 'Sirius Black'."

"So he did pay you a visit, did he?"

"Yes, and I will be damned if I don't hex him the next time I meet him."

"You mean you let him go in one piece?"

"I was busy trying to think out what he was saying."

"You were always a slow intellect," teased Hermione.

"Miss Granger, if you continue to belittle me, Sirius Black's fate will befall you before long."

"Let's just go around to the Three Broomsticks!"

"That pub for hags?"

Hermione scowled at him.

"I would prefer something more sophisticated like the North Star. It provides for private rooms."

Hermione shrugged and followed him. As long as she got to know what had gone on between him and Sirius, North Star was fine... though it was more of a couples' place.

It never ceased to amaze Hermione that, though they met after long spans of time, it seemed as if only a day had passed since their last meeting.

o-o-o-o-o-

"I was surprised to find that he had broken through all wards of the Malfoy Manor. I am not praising Dad, but he was a very powerful wizard."

"Sirius is still more powerful," said Hermione thoughtfully.

"Yeah, and he was ranting! He hinted some very obscure things..."

Hermione looked up from her coffee.

"I guess... about us?"

Draco nodded.

"He wanted – explanations."

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing."

"Pardon?"

"I told him that I would send for Aurors."

"That was lame – he won't back out for fear of Aurors."

"You're telling me! Well, he asked me what I had done to you. I told him he was barking mad. It was then he asked me why you had told me about him."

Hermione was silent. Of course she had told Draco about Sirius. She knew that Sirius would pop up somewhere or the other for Harry's protection and since Draco was on their side, it won't do to have him believe that Sirius Black was a Death-Eater.

"He must have been very bitter about me," she said quietly.

Draco looked at her thoughtfully. "I know better – he was worried about you. He was afraid I had done something to you."

Hermione raised a surprised brow. "Are you sure?"

"Trust me."

A meditative pause followed. Draco's mind wandered back to his first conversation with Sirius Black. Hermione, on the other hand, tried to think a way out for Draco. He wasn't directly involved in any of it. It was unfair that he suffer.

"If I am not much mistaken, Hermione, you told me that Sirius took the form of a Grim-like black dog," whispered Draco, leaning forward.

Hermione looked into his eyes. She could make out miniscule image of Sirius in his Animagus form.

"I was right – he is worried about you. He probably followed me here."

"No, Draco, he is not. He doesn't care about me. He wants answers. He thinks I killed Harry – or helped kill him and... By Merlin! He is spying on me! I hate him! I hate Sirius Black!"

She got up, but Draco restrained her by taking her hand in his.

"Who knows – he can be a bodyguard now. Merlin knows you need it."

Hermione glared at Draco. "I hate him! I don't want him anywhere near a mile's radius around me."

"You don't hate him," said Draco lightly. "You care for him."

"No, I don't!"

"Yes, you do!"

"You're stupid!"

"No, I am not!"

"I am going!" said Hermione irritably and picking up her purse and books went out.

o-o-o-o-o-

Sometimes, she really hated being such an open book. And she really hated it that Draco was a good reader.

As she passed the robes-shop opposite, she looked down the narrow by-lane and looked coldly at the shaggy dog before disapparating.

o-o-o-o-o-

'Bill,

Meet me at the Three Broomsticks tomorrow night at eight.

Hermione.'

Hermione folded the note and tied to Hedwig's leg. Strangely enough, Hedwig had decided to come and stay with Hermione since she had lost her first master.

o-o-o-o-o-

As Hermione was about to go to bed that night, she was disturbed by the doorbell.

Praying that it wasn't anything urgent, she flung on her dressing gown.

o-o-o-o-o-

"Sirius..."

Sirius walked in.

"I have had enough, Sirius."

"So have I, Hermione."

They both stared at each other for a while.

"Since you seemed interested in that Malfoy brat..."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"... I thought it might interest you to know that Malfoy Manor was attacked by Dementors last night."

o-o-o-o-o-