Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize from anything copyrighted (IE Harry Potter, Warner Brothers, Down With Love, etc.)
Authour's note: Sorry for all of the sap at the beginning. It just wrote itself like that. And I know it's not that long but I just wanted to get a little something out for my reviewers. Emily, this is for you.
The couple sprang apart guiltily, searching for the source of the voice.
'Professor Dumbledore!' Sirius cried.
Stepping out of the shadows, the old man smiled cheekily. 'Indeed, but call me Albus, as we're all adults here. I came down here to check on your progress and to also inform you that dinner was is almost ready, but I fear that I am interrupting a bit more than just training.'
Hermione blushed furiously, while Sirius just grinned.
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and turned to exit. 'I'll leave you two alone. But we are going over our next steps at dinner, so please be present for at least part of it.'
'Please don't say anything about this to any one else, especially Harry or Ron,' Hermione pleaded. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Sirius nodded along.
'Of course I won't,' Dumbledore replied, smiling at the loving, supportive picture they represented.
Both Sirius and Hermione sighed in relief. But as soon as the older man left, they turned to each other and burst out into laughter. Leaning against Sirius, Hermione wiped away tears of mirth.
Still laughing a bit, Sirius shook his head. 'I thought we were SOL there for a bit, but luckily it was only Dumbledore.'
'We were very lucky this time,' Hermione agreed.
Sirius drew her closer to him. 'You know, Dumbledore did say that we had a few more minutes…'
Hermione quirked her eyebrows at him, but then smiled. 'That's right, he did say that.'
Sirius just grinned in response, not really being able to talk anymore.
The kissing grew deeper, quicker, and more passionate, as the air in the training became charged with sexual tension. Feelings so heavy that they were tangible floated around the couple. Before they knew it, Sirius' hands were under Hermione's shirt, and her hands were quickly unbuttoning his own.
Mentally kicking himself, Sirius forced himself to take a step back, ending the kiss. 'We need to talk about this,' he gasped.
'Talking is overrated,' Hermione said, also breathing quite heavily.
'I'm not joking.'
'I know, you're serious.'
He groaned. 'Now is not the time to make jokes about my name to distract me from the situation at hand. In fact, there is never an appropriate time to do that.'
Hermione pouted, mildly shocked that she was doing it so well. 'You know you like when I do it.'
'Stop trying to make me break with your come hither ways, woman. We shouldn't rush in to this. We have a long time in which I plan to get to know you better.'
Cocking an eyebrow, Hermione practically salivated over the disheveled stud in front of her. 'How much better?'
Fulfilling her greatest fantasies, Sirius replied, 'All the way better. (A/N: Thank you Down With Love.) But as much as the manly man in me hates me for saying this, we have to wait… at least for a few hours.' He winked cheekily at her.
Sighing, Hermione nodded as she smoothed down her shirt. 'I see what you're saying. And a part of me is glad that we're taking it slowly, because I still can't believe that this is actually happening.'
'Any regrets so far?'
She adamantly shook her head. 'Absolutely none. Don't ever think that I regret any of our time together.'
Having restored himself to a less rumpled state, Sirius fixed the furniture they had upended, with a flick of his wand.
'Shall we?' he said, holding out his hand.
'We shall,' Hermione replied, clasping it firmly.
***~~~***
Sirius and Hermione walked down the hall holding hands, but as they neared the staff room, Hermione pulled away.
Sirius stopped, looking down quizzically at her. 'What's wrong?'
Hermione fidgeted on the spot, something she didn't do very often. 'I just don't think we should show public affection around the others, especially since we're trying to keep this a secret. And anyone could walk around the corner, or come out of the door.'
Understanding, he nodded. 'So what's the plan? Are we still going to go in together, or should we stagger our entrances, all inconspicuous like.' Sirius grinned cheekily at the brunette.
'We're both mature adults, well, at least I am, and I think we can control ourselves and walk in together like nothing is different.'
He shook his head. 'I can't be close to you and not touch you, especially now. I mean, I'm going crazy because I want to kiss you so badly. Your plan will crash and burn.'
Hermione smiled at the goofy, mushy man before her, and truth be told, she was also having a little trouble controlling herself. 'Fine. You go in now, and I'll follow you in a few minutes. If they ask where I am, tell them… I don't know. Just tell them something.'
'How about 'Hermione is just taking a shower after the hot, sweaty sex we just had. But don't worry, she'll be down soon.'' Sirius said deadpan, watching for the rise he would get out of her.
'No!' Hermione cried, half-amused half-aghast. 'New plan. I'll go in first, and you can come in a bit later. I'll just tell them that you're cleaning up the practice room.'
'Because we made a mess and knocked stuff over during all of the sex?'
'Yes, because we made a mess during all of the sex.'
'That's my girl.'
'I'm leaving.'
'Good. That means that I can stare at your luscious backside without you seeing me.'
Giving him the finger, she walked into the staff room. As she entered, the attention of the entire room turned to focus on her. Hermione saw Dumbledore's inconspicuous wink and quick smile and blushed, imagining that somehow everyone had managed to find out her secret.
Seeing her but missing her partner, Harry called out, 'where's Sirius?' from his spot on the couch with Ron.
Having managed to calm herself, Hermione didn't miss a beat. 'Oh, he's just fixing up the training room. He was teaching me a new shield charm, and I was a bit clumsy, so a few things got knocked over. And then Sirius suggested that we were put in a real fighting situation, and suffices to say, even more things got upended. But he'll be here soon.'
As soon as she said that, Sirius stepped through the door. 'Sorry I'm late, just had to clean up. Albus, who's next up with me?'
Checking an imaginary list, Dumbledore replied, 'Mr. Malfoy and Miss Weasley, I believe, but your time with them is not until the morning. I believe everyone still needs more time to relax, prepare themselves.'
Hermione glanced over at her friends, and caught Draco giving Ginny a mock death-glare. 'You're mine,' he mouthed.
'Not bloody likely,' she whispered back, sliding a finger across her throat. 'You're dead.'
Hermione unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh, half-squawking instead, and caught the direct attention of Sirius. Blushing even harder, she quickly went to occupy the one spot by Ginny, while Sirius wisely went to sit with Lupin.
Dinner was served and quiet chatter filled the air, until Dumbledore cleared this throat, and stood up on his seat. The room was instantly silent. Draco instinctively took hold of Ginny's hand, and Sirius' and Hermione's eyes met in a meaningful look that seemed to last forever.
'New intelligence about our enemies grows more plentiful by the day, finally giving us a baser from where to start from. We have learned that there will be a large meeting for all of the remaining free Deatheaters in 3 weeks. This will be a prime opportunity to defeat them in one fell swoop, and thankfully we are given ample time to prepare. Starting Monday, Draco will lead small teams in Reconnaissance about the Manor. At breakfast tomorrow, you will be notified as to what teams and topics you will be specializing with, and the schedule concerning your training with Sirius will be put up tomorrow as well. For now, I suggest you all relax, catch up with each other, because tomorrow all games are over, and it is down to business. A daunting prospect I know, but this is largely a matter of life or death, as society as we know it unconsciously depends on us. That is all.' Sitting back down, Dumbledore took a large bite of his pecan strudel and resumed his conversation with Professor McGonagall.
Sirius let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He thought that the announcement was going to be much worse, but so far, everything had been comparatively light. Looking over at Hermione, he had another chance to study her, as she had engaged in talk with Draco and Ginny. Laughing at something the pair had said, she shook her hair back behind her shoulder. Sirius was struck dumb in his seat. He could not remember the last time he had been so attracted to someone. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to find a position that would give relief to an ever-growing problem below his waist. Luckily the pants he was wearing were baggy enough to provide a loose cover.
But someone else's attention was directed over that way. Harry silently watched his godfather appraise his childhood friend, sneaking suspicions entering his mind. There was more than simple admiration in the older man's eyes, which Harry could see. But the bold emotions that Harry deduced in Sirius's eyes made him feel as if he was intruding on something so intimate, and so he quickly looked away, but not before making a mental note to talk to Sirius about everything later on.
'Harry? Harry?' Ron waved a hand in front of his face. 'Where are you? What are you looking at?'
Turning his attention back to his boyfriend, Harry shook his head. 'Nothing really, just glancing around. Sorry, were you saying something?'
Having finished her dinner and seeing no real reason to stay in the staff room, Hermione furtively glanced over at Sirius, unexpectedly meeting his full gaze. Slightly turning her head towards the door and back, she raised her eyebrows in silent question. Getting her meaning, he nodded almost imperceptibly, and then held 5 fingers against his leg. Returning the tiny nod, Hermione stood up and made her goodnights, heading up to her room. And sure enough, 5 minutes later, Sirius also left the dinner for 'bed', but strangely enough; no one made a link between the two early departures.
***~~~**
Hermione sat waiting for Sirius in her room, idling twiddling her fingers. As soon as he walked through the portrait hole, she stood up, smiling widely. Returning the smile, he quickly strode over to her, and they met in a frantic kiss. Pulling away, Hermione shook her head. 'We are so bad.'
'What! Just because we ditched a pretty important meeting to sneak off to your room to do unmentionable things while lying about our whereabouts to those we care about does not make us bad. It just makes us bad-asses. Big difference.'
She quickly rapped on Sirius' head. 'Hello? Is there anyone in there? You are crazy, you know that?'
'Crazy, maybe. Quirky, I'll buy that. Sexy, most definitely.' He bent down and kissed her again. As always, Sirius felt that little spark, and deepened the kiss, as Hermione slightly opened her mouth to accept his. But they sprang apart as a knock was heard on the portrait hole. Shaking slightly, Hermione walked over to the portrait hole and opened it to reveal Ginny standing there.
'Hey Hermione, I missed you at the rest of dinner. I know you said that you wanted to go to bed but I was just wondering if you were okay.'
Leaning against the wall, effectively blocking Ginny's view of her room, Hermione replied, 'I'm fine. Just a little tired with the whirlwind activity. I've been pretty lazy, so I'm still getting used to how it is around here again.'
'I know what you mean. Are you sure that you're okay? You look a little nervous about something.'
She shook her head vigorously. 'No, I'm fine. I'm fine…couldn't be better. I'm not nervous about anything. Why? Should I be?'
Ginny laughed. 'You're rambling, Hermione, which is why I happen to think that something's going on. And why won't you let me into your room?'
Sheepishly, the brunette moved aside so that Sirius came into view. Ginny nodded, finally grasping the entire situation. Knowing that it was time to go, Sirius slipped by them, pressing Hermione's hand in goodbye. Hermione walked into her room, leaving room for Ginny to accompany her.
'I…he…we…nothing happened!'
'You don't have to explain anything to me. I know how it feels to want something forbidden. Trust me, I know all about it. You're talking about my life story.' She smiled, remembering times long forgotten.
'So how does it feel when you finally get it? You know, the thing that you want so badly, but know that you shouldn't have.'
'So now I'm the one with all the answers, and you're the one with the questions. This is a little weird. But…it feels good. Really good, like everything makes sense. But it's dangerous, not for the weak. Getting something that you want that has always been forbidden carries a heavy weight. Sometimes you have to give up other things for what you want. But then there are the times that everything works out, everything is accepted, and what you want isn't forbidden anymore.' Ginny's fingers itched with the feel of smooth blond brows, and before her flashed eyes of stormy grey, a shiver passing through her.
Hermione laughed. 'That good, eh?'
Ginny just blushed in response, but then shook her head to clear it. 'I glanced at you two during dinner and I saw how he was looking at you. He looks at you the way Draco looked at me when we couldn't tell anyone about our relationship. And you glow whenever he's around.'
Hermione started. 'I do not!'
The redhead swatted her and laughed. 'Yes, you do, and there's no denying it . How long has this been going on? And I'll know if you're lying. I've been through this before.'
'Only since we saw each other last night. That's why everything is so confusing. These feelings have just shown up overnight, and they're so strong, I just don't understand.'
'That's how love works. It…'
Hermione quickly interrupted. 'Love? Who says I was talking about love? I don't…I just…'
Ginny smiled knowingly. "If you don't love him now, you will soon. It's only a matter of time. Like I said, that's how love works. For some, feelings creep up on them over the years, and it takes them a while to figure out how they feel. But for others, feelings just appear as if out of nowhere, kind of cementing the whole 'love at first sight' theory. And then there are the people who really don't fit into either category and just have to eke out a little niche of their own.'
"I'm not good at this whole 'relationship' thing, Ginny. You know that, you've watched me over the years. I fumble my way through them, with clumsy words and clumsy gestures. I never know what to say, or what to do. Relationships just…they're too hard!'
Ginny relaxed in her seat on one of the sofas. 'Is that the way you feel now, or the way you felt before?'
'Before. With Sirius, I don't need to say or do anything. I just have to be myself, and I know that that's all he wants. Ugh, listen to me! I sound like some sappy Hallmark card. I always hated people like that.' Hermione shook her head.
'Get used to it.' The younger girl clapped her on the shoulder. 'It's all hearts and cupids from here on out.'
Hermione just groaned in response.
A/N: It's sad because I just realized that I have had this story posted up here for over a year (though it feels like much less), and I'm really just in the middle, not really close to the end. But please be patient, bear with me, it'll be over soon. But in the meantime, please review and tell me how you like it, or if you even like it. But next chapter, places and genders get switched, and Draco gets to have a talk of his own with Sirius.
