Authour's note: sorry about the delay. Hope you guys like it, as I think it might start to get into the darker side of the story. Who's good? Who's bad? Who's sleeping where, and with whom? Stay tuned…

Disclaimer: Don't own this, blah blah blah. I think you guys have read enough of these to get the gist.

'You can poke out your eyes, but you can't poke out your mind's eye.'

                                                - Robert, Everybody Loves Raymond

***~~~***

The room lay in dead silence. It seemed as if everyone was holding his or her breath, waiting for Harry's reaction to such a blunt statement.

Harry looked up with a grim smile on his face, as if to say, 'well, here we go again.'

Sirius inwardly shuddered; imagining all of the things the Deatheaters could do to the only family he had left. Having been in Azkaban for as long as he had with convicted Deatheaters, Sirius knew exactly what his enemies could and would do to Harry if they ever caught him. He shut his eyes tightly, trying to erase the horrible mental images he had.

Hermione felt the small shudders go through Sirius' arm that was touching hers, and pressed one of her hands on his. Sirius was relieved by the small gesture, and responded by taking her hand and squeezing it.

Unbeknownst to them, Harry had been watching his godfather for his reaction, and did not miss the affectionate gesture between the older man and one of Harry's best friends. Storing the moment away for later reflection, Harry focussed on the task at hand.

'Are you okay?' Hermione whispered.

'I'm fine,' Sirius assured her. 'I'm just letting my dark imagination run away from me. But thanks for… well, this,' gesturing to her hand. 'It grounded me, I guess.'

'Well, I don't like to see a friend of mine in pain. And you're definitely a friend. You can always count on me.'

'Friend,' Sirius thought. 'She just sees me as old friendly Sirius. I guess that's all I'll ever be to her. Gods Sirius, what is going on?' he asked himself. 'Deatheaters are out to kill your godson, and what are you doing? Thinking romantic thoughts about a girl who is practically still a child!'

'I thought we went over this before. She's not a child anymore.' Ah, the return of the inner voice.

'Shut up!'

'Did you say anything?' Hermione whispered, a bit flustered. She had watched as Sirius' face went through a series of changes, as if he was fighting a battle within himself. For some reason, she desperately wanted to reach out to him, but restrained herself, banishing these unfamiliar feelings.

Shit. 'No.' OK, no more talking to yourself, Sirius kept repeating silently as a mantra.

Having allowed the group to get adjusted to the situation, Dumbledore spoke up. 'I know its been a long night for you all, and I know you all want to settle into your rooms, clean all of the travelling grime off of you, and sleep, but I'm afraid that won't happened for awhile yet. Training and strategizing time will come later in the week, and between now and then you'll have plenty of time to sleep and catch up with one another, but I believe you all need to know the full story now. But before we begin,' everyone groaned, 'I believe refreshment is in order.'

As if by some hidden command, at that moment a cart with food and drink was wheeled in by a very frightened house elf.

'Thank-you, Neegle. You may go,' Dumbledore said.

'Thank-you sir,' he squeaked, and with that, the elf bolted out of the room.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. She still disapproved of the use of house elves. Sirius saw this, and chuckled quietly under his breath. 'Gods, she is beautiful when she's pissed off,' he thought. 'I see now what Weasley was thinking when he went after her. But see how that turned out.'

Dumbledore reached over and took the silver covers off of the food. 'Tea, anyone? Coffee? Pumpkin pasty? I'm rather partial to them myself.'

A ravenous group of people threw themselves on the food. You always seem to be more hungry when learning about a life-threatening situation. Soon, the cart was emptied and people retired to their seats.

No longer starving, Hermione settled back in her seat, preparing herself for the onslaught of information that was to come, and though she wouldn't tell anyone, she was getting a little excited.

The aged headmaster continued. 'Thanks to a double-agent, and old connections to the Inner Circle, we've gotten information detailing plans, attacks, and naming prominent Deatheaters and targets,' gesturing to Harry.

'Any other targets that we know?' Ginny asked, something telling her that her silent neighbour had not told her everything he should have. Draco tensed beside her, knowing that he would be dealing with a very irate Ginny later in the day.

Dumbledore hesitated. 'Yes, but I think they know who they are, and revealing them would be too overwhelming for everyone right now.' Although he didn't say anything else, the headmaster's gaze rested a bit too long on Draco for comfort. The heir to the Malfoy estate shifted a little in his seat, but said nothing, letting everyone else know silently that he was very aware of his precarious position. Ginny also remained tight-lipped, but grabbed Draco's hand, and squeezed it hard enough that her knuckles turned white.

'Do we know who this Inner Circle is?' Hermione asked, partially to get the attention off the depressing new facts about one of their own, but also in part because she was eager to get back into everything. Looking to Dumbledore for the answer, she was surprised to hear Draco speak up.

'Basically the same as before. Lucius, Avery, Nott, Crabbe and Goyle.'

'Junior and senior?' Ron butted in.

'Avery and Nott, yes, but Crabbe and Goyle are working without their sons. Somewhere along the way my 'bodyguards' must have stumbled along some sense.' Draco smiled wryly.

'No Parkinson? I was sure he would be in on this plot,' Sirius said, a bit confused.

'Well, whatever his feelings are, Parkinson Sr. got out of the game when Voldemort was defeated. When Pansy came back from Hogwarts, she must've done something shocking to her family, because all of a sudden, they have cut all ties with the Deatheaters and are doing everything they can to make sure that the Inner Circle is stopped. There's a bit of irony to lighten the situation.' Seeing only unimpressed glares, Draco shut his mouth and leaned back in the couch.

'So, what's our plan?' Hermione looked around for answers, but people looked surprised. 'I'm sorry. I don't mean to go back into full-out, research Hermione mode, but the earlier we know what to do, the earlier we can prepare ourselves. Do we have special teams for this? Special intensified training and research time? I don't know about anybody else, but I need to know now or I'm going to explode.'

Harry, Ron and Ginny laughed quietly, flashbacks of Hermione during their years at Hogwarts coming back quite clearly.

'Alright, Ms. Granger. No need for spontaneous combustion. The Inner Circle have picked up some skills while in hiding, all serious, very dangerous and will all present formidable challenges. It seems as if they all have gotten into the darkest arts imaginable. Only one of us really knows how to fight whatever they throw at us,' Dumbledore said, and nodded at Sirius. Everyone looked over at him in great surprise, but Dumbledore quickly carried on. 'Each one of you will have training sessions one on one with Sirius until he is satisfied that you know what you are doing and can defend yourself.'

Sirius shifted uncomfortably in his seat. There was no way he was going to be able to get through a one on one training session with Hermione the way he was thinking about her. Just the thought of her in workout clothing made him want to… Sirius mentally shook himself. 'Focus!!!!'

Dumbledore had talked on, oblivious to Sirius' mental torment. 'On top of training with Sirius, you will also have regular training sessions, which are more of a physical workout than anything else, with a little bit of Quidditch thrown in for those who want to participate. Plus, once a day, we will all gather in here for meetings that will cover tactics, locations, plans, et cetera. Right now, the Inner Circle is only located in a spot just outside of London, but we are aware of plans to expand into Hogsmeade (to be closer to Hogwarts), and other various towns around England.'

'Where are their headquarters right now?' Ron asked.

'I believe that Draco is more qualified to answer that.' Dumbledore inclined his head towards the reclining blond man.

Draco got up and started to pace the floor. 'I don't want to go into a lot of detail, because I know you're all tired and won't remember too much. I mean, I'm about ready to drop and fall asleep here on the floor. But moving on, the bulk of the information will come later today when we are all better rested. As you all can expect, Lucius is the recognized leader of the opposition, and so, predictably, all operations can be traced back to Malfoy Manor.'

Without thinking, Ron opened his big mouth. 'But where is your mother when everything is going on?'

Draco's face took on a cold, hardened expression, while Ginny started to shake her head. 'Stupid!' she whispered.

'At the beginning of this operation, Lucius looked ahead and saw that my mother would probably get in his way at one point or another, and so he got rid of the problem.'

'He killed his own wife?' Hermione could not help whispering in horrified shock.

'Of course! Did you expect any less from him? I'm his own son, his own flesh and blood, but he'll kill me the next chance he gets, if he gets one. Didn't you hear? Like Harry, there's essentially a death warrant out for me. Lucius isn't a man, he's a monster. I don't want anyone to ever forget that.' With that chilling end, Draco dropped into his seat, but wasn't done. 'Keeping the Circle at the Manor is probably the weakest link in his plan so far. I grew up there, I know that place like the back of my hand. Every dungeon, secret room, hidden entrance, ward. If that place has one, I know about it.'

'That's always a reassuring thing to hear.' Harry finally spoke up. 'But I don't remember Zabini's name mentioned. What's their situation?'

Sirius shifted forward in his seat. 'Zabini Sr. got the Kiss two months ago and no one knows the whereabouts of Blaise.'

Draco coughed slightly, which made Sirius smile. 'OK, so one person knows where he is. But evidently, Blaise doesn't fight for the bad side, which, to borrow words from Harry, is always a reassuring thing to hear. I don't mean to cut things short, but some of us are hardly able to keep our eyes open. Are we done here, Professor Dumbledore?'

Albus chuckled. 'Yes, we are finished for now, Mr. Black. If you all will see Professor McGonagall or I, we will give you your room assignments, and you can retire.'

After everyone got their rooms, Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore watched as they exited the room. But just as Sirius reached the door, he turned around. 'Check ya later, Minerva!' he said, winking cheekily at her, but then made a quick exit.

'Ooh, that boy deserves a detention and a kick in the backside quicker than I can say Marauder.' Professor McGonagall glared at the empty doorframe, but the Headmaster just laughed.

'He isn't a student anymore, leave him be.'

'He should be, considering the way he acts. I don't believe he's actually grown up. And what nerve, calling me Minerva!' Professor McGonagall said huffily, though secretly pleased to see Sirius in such good spirits, considering the mess his life had been in recently.

Professor Dumbledore patted the annoyed woman, and brushed past her to the door. 'Seems like the children aren't the only ones around here who need sleep.'

***~~~***

The large group separated at the large staircase to go and fall into their beds. Draco and Ginny started to walk away hand in hand, whispering quietly to each other, although Ginny was doing the greater amount of the talking, and Draco was wisely keeping his mouth shut. But Ron's voice stopped them.

'Draco , where are you staying?'

Draco half-turned to answer him. 'I'm in the Head Boys Room.'

'What about you, Gin?'

She looked at him, to see if he was joking. 'Also in the Head Boy's room.'

Ron got into full big-brother mode and took a menacing step towards Draco but Ginny just laughed at him. 'This is getting a little old Ron. Even Bill and Charlie don't bother me anymore.' Still laughing, Ginny and Draco walked away to their room.

'I'll admit, I still don't like seeing them together,' Ron said quietly to Harry.

'Well, get over it. They're together now, and they probably will be for a long time, judging by the looks they give each other,' Harry replied, and then pulled Ron away to their own room.

But yet another pair watched as that couple walked away, unseen at the entrance to the hallway.

'I'll admit, I still don't like seeing them together,' Hermione said.

'Well, get over,' Sirius replied not unkindly. 'They're together now, and they probably will be for a long time, judging by the looks they give each other. Don't even try to deny it, because I know you see them too.' Sirius started walking, and Hermione hurried to catch up.

'I heard that you and Remus were once, um, you know…' Hermione faltered, looking embarrassed.

'Know what?' Sirius was confused.

'Well, involved.'

Sirius stopped to see if she was joking. She wasn't. 'What? Who'd you hear that from?'

Hermione shrugged, and then crossed her arms, trying to keep herself warm in the bloody cold hallway. Sirius saw that and then, quickly taking off his sweatshirt, handed it over to Hermione.

'Thanks.' But once she had it on, Hermione shrugged. 'In reference to your last question, it was just a rumour floating around.'

Sirius shook his head. 'And you believed it?'

'Well, it seemed like it could work.'

'So, you think I'm gay?'

Hermione looked down at her shoes, at the wall, anywhere that wasn't Sirius' eyes. She didn't trust herself to look into them right now. 'I never saw you with a woman like that, and so I just assumed…'

Sirius' voice took on a patronizing tone. 'You know, when you assume, you-'

Hermione quickly interrupted him, looking angry. 'Don't treat me like a child! A long time ago, you said we were on the same level, and I like being on that level, so don't throw me off any time soon.'

'I promise. But no, I'm not gay.'

Hermione nodded her head, cataloguing the information. But after awhile, her womanly curiosity got the better of her. 'Is Remus?'

Sirius laughed, knowing the question would come sooner or later. 'I don't think so. Remus is the best friend I have left, but he's never mentioned anything new about his sexual orientation, so for now, we'll say he's straight.'

"That explains it!' Sirius thought. 'She thought I was gay?'

'Where are you staying?' he asked, quickly changing the subject.

'I'm in the Head Girl's room.'

'Big surprise. Remus and I are in our old room in Gryffindor Tower, so I guess we're neighbours. I'd ask to escort you to your door, but we've already arrived at it.' Neither Sirius or Hermione had noticed how far they had walked while talking, but now had to leave each other.

'I'll see you later, Hermione.' Sirius started to walk away but turned back when Hermione's lovely voice called for him.

'How about you pick me up on your way down to the meeting? If you come by a little early, we can have something to eat and drink, and catch up on everything before we need to meet everyone else. Is that okay?'

Sirius was a little flustered at another opportunity of spending one on one time with Hermione, but he quickly steadied himself. 'Sure, sounds great.' His voice sounded much more calm than his hormones, which were going crazy. There was no way he was going to be able to go to sleep quickly the way his body was wound up.

'The password is Crookshanks.'

'Very creative,' Sirius grinned.

'Hey!' Hermione said in indignation, but smiled as well. 'I'm tired, and its not like anyone bad is going to be coming near my room. Unless I need to protect myself from you, Mr. Black.'

Was she flirting with him? Hermione realized what she was doing, but was having too much fun to stop. Sirius picked up on her intent and decided to reciprocate.

'Well, I'm very dangerous. Haven't you heard? I'm a naughty boy.' But his dirty words were interrupted by a huge yawn.

Hermione laughed. 'Yes, a naughty boy who needs sleep. I'll see you later.' With that, she went into her room, leaving Sirius alone to trudge slowly through the hall and up to the tower.

Suddenly, Sirius remembered the greatest obstacle in his newfound affection for Hermione. Harry. His godson would definitely not react well to Sirius' pursuit of his childhood best friend. 'Definitely do not let him find out, or anyone else for that matter. That would just add another problem to the hellish situation everyone was already involved in.'

Later, as Hermione lay in bed, Sirius' patronizing words from earlier came back, and she found that they rankled her a bit. Anyone treating her like a child annoyed her, but when Sirius did it, it struck a different chord within her. Hermione realized that it was very important to her that he see her as an adult, someone on the same maturity level as him.

'I'll show him how mature I can be,' she thought, but then drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

A/N: so, Sirius has started to fall for Hermione, and she is beginning to notice her change in affection for him. Stay tuned to see what happens to whom, and if Sirius ever makes a move.