Ch. 15- Do You Like Me?
Hermione sat through dinner sending furtive glances at Sirius and grinning. Only when she caught Lily's eye did she look down at her plate and keep her eyes glued to it. She didn't notice Remus's gaze shift from her to Sirius and back again, nor did she hear his sigh. Lily, however, did and frowned. Could it be possible that both Sirius and Remus had a thing for her friend and Hermione had chosen Sirius? Of course she had to have chosen Sirius to be glowing like that. The two had kissed, it was obvious. And what was more obvious was that Remus knew and was jealous. Ah, the drama that had ensued since Hermione had come to them from the future. Even that fact still caused awe in Lily's eyes. Sure, she had read of such things, but never had she been a part of it. And she had certainly never been a part of a group to fight Voldemort before he grew too strong, and yet there she was, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, along with her friends. Her eyes trailed from Remus to Peter who sat at his side and her lips curled into a look of disgust. Hermione had said that he must not know that they knew what he was a part of now or what he would do in a year hence. That was the only thing that kept her, or any of them for that matter, jumping him and beating him into a bloody pulp. Biting her lip, Lily wretched her eyes from the traitor and her gaze fell onto Sirius who sat on James's other side, across from Hermione. She nearly blushed when she saw what was in his eyes as he looked at Hermione: love, longing, a need to care for her. It was very romantic, but then there was Remus. Could he really long for Hermione, or was it just jealousy? She shook her head. It wasn't her business. Things would sort themselves out fine without her meddling.
Sirius sighed as he looked upon Hermione. The feel of her lips on his and her reaction to his kiss had made him want her even more. She had felt so right in his arms, and had returned his kiss. Did she feel the way he felt about her? He needed to pull her aside, talk to her. He had to know if his feelings and thoughts were worth it. Merlin, he hoped they were. He didn't think he could bear to not have his feelings returned. She was not only beautiful but smart and caring as well. She completed him. Making up his mind, he leaned in to whisper across the table.
"Come with me?" he asked. His voice was deep and throaty, and sent shivers down her spine. She looked up and saw longing in his gaze, and instantly she felt her cheeks warm as she nodded silently. He smiled, causing her stomach to roll, and she instantly remembered the kiss that they had shared not but an hour ago. How could a guy make her feel so beautiful and wanted? She rose with him and they made their way out of the Great Hall.
James looked up and saw the two leaving. He looked at Lily and caught her gaze. Lily smiled and nodded at the silent question; James grinned. His friend needed love in his life, and Hermione—from the future or not—was the perfect one for the job. He looked at Remus, expecting to see his other friend happy that Sirius had found a girl, but instead found something he instantly recognized as jealousy. Remus was jealous of Sirius. He liked Hermione.
Hermione's nerves kicked into high gear as soon as they were in the Entrance Hall. She felt his gaze on her as if she stared straight into his dark eyes.
"Hermione," Sirius said softly, going to her. She turned and walked into his arms as he wrapped them around her, kissing her softly on the lips.
"Sirius," she whispered. His gaze met hers. "Do you like me?"
"No, Hermione," he admitted. She frowned and looked down. Using two fingers, he lifted her chin to look up at him and looked deep into her eyes. "I love you."
Hermione's eyes lightened and a smiled played on her lips.
"But… how can you know?" she asked. They had only just stated there attraction to each other an hour before. Not with words, but with the kiss they shared.
"Because, no other girl has made me feel the way I feel when I'm with you," he said. Tears threatened to shed in her eyes as she smiled. He leaned in and kissed her deeply, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Once they broke away, Hermione nuzzled his neck and grinned. She had found here in the past what she had longed for in her present. Her old present. This past was her new present, here with Sirius was her knew home. It was at that moment, in Sirius's arms, she knew she would never go back to her time even if she could.