DISCLAIMER: Hello! My name is Meia and I live in West Virginia. I have no claim whatsoever to Harry Potter. I only own the plot line of this story.

A/N: Okay, this is my first attempt at a 'M' scene so be easy on me. I'd like to thank moonyNZ for all her help on this chapter.

"…You can still see the marks on the back of your hand where that evil woman made you write with your own blood, but you stuck to your story anyway…"

"You can still see where those brains got hold of me in the Ministry, look," said Ron, shaking back his sleeves.

"And it doesn't hut that you've grown about a foot over the summer either," Hermione finished, ignoring Ron.

"I'm tall," said Ron inconsequentially.

-- conversation at breakfast…HBP, poor Won-Won

Chapter 8: The Power of Trust

Hermione groaned as she opened the door to her flat the next evening. Why, oh Merlin why, did she agree to this? He was taking her back into the wizarding world and she had willingly agreed just because of some stupid attraction she had towards him.

Hermione slammed the door shut as she remembered the pleading look in his eyes as he gazed at her, waiting for her to answer. That was what made her agree. In the end, she couldn't turn him down.

A smile appeared on her lips as she remembered the quick peck he gave her as he left. She could still fill his lips on her. She would be lying if she said she didn't want it to happen again; in fact, she wanted to happen again very much.

She glanced at her watch. She had just enough time for a quick shower before having to get ready. She headed into the small bedroom she occupied and laid out a simple black halter dress that hit her mid-thigh before heading into the bathroom.

She dressed carefully, making sure the dress did not obtain any wrinkles. She left her hair hanging in silky curls down her back. She skillfully applied make-up, just enough to highlight her face. She chose a pair of simple black heels to give her a little height.

A knock sounded at the door and Hermione rushed out of her room. She opened the door and could not help but stare appreciably at Sirius.

He had on a pair of deep black slacks and a white silk shirt that showed off his great muscles. A few buttons at the top were left unbuttoned, giving her a glimpse of tanned chest. He held out a bouquet of white roses to her.

"These are for you," he smiled, depositing the flowers into her arms as he kissed her cheek, his lips remaining there a fraction longer than necessary.

"Oh Sirius, they're lovely," Hermione exclaimed as she gazed at him warmly. "Thank you."

He gave a small flick of his wand and the flowers appeared in a crimson red vase on the table. Then, he held out his arm to her. "Shall we, my lady?"

Hermione smiled up at him and turned. "Just let me grab my purse," she said as she snatched up the item. "Are we apparating there?"

Sirius smiled. "Whatever you want to do."

Hermione nodded. "It'll be quicker."

Sirius gave her the address to the restaurant. "See you there," and with a 'crack' he was gone from her sight.

She took a deep breath to calm her nerves before quickly following. She found herself standing in a highly impressive restaurant (romantic too) with candles floating over the tables. Sirius was instantly by her side and ushering her to a secluded table in the back.

"Merlin," she gasped in a soft voice, looking around her, "this is lovely."

"I hoped that you'd like it," Sirius admitted, a faint blush staining his cheeks. "I really didn't know if this would be your cup of tea or not."

"I love it."

They ordered and chatted about their day. Hermione told him of her day at work. She had found herself in the midst of everyone's conversations as they hoped to find out who he was. He laughed when she told him of their expressions when they found out that he lived with her.

Sirius, meanwhile, told her about his day with Remus. They had caught up, after Remus had got over his initial shock, and reminisced about the past.

As they at, Sirius joked with Hermione about her appetite. Hermione, blushing madly, told him that she wasn't a miss twiggy and liked a hearty meal.

Their conversation stayed light, not once going into the deeper conversation they were both afraid to approach.

Once they finished and Sirius paid the bill, they apparated back to Hermione's flat and sat down on the couch. Sirius stretched out his arm along the back and toyed with a tendril of her hair between his fingers. They simply stared at each other in a comfortable silence. Word were superfluous.

"Hermione," Sirius whispered, breaking the silence, "will you….will you tell me about the war?"

Hermione stalled. She hated reliving the past and often avoided it the best that she could. But Dumbledore's words kept running over and over in her head.

Sirius leaned over and placed his other hand on her cheek, lightly stroking it in an affectionate way. "Please….," his voice soft and pleading, "…let me in."

And Hermione found herself spilling everything she had kept bottle up inside her for so long. She told him of the troubles they faced throughout her years of Hogwarts. She told him of them finding him in their third year and losing him again so soon in their fifth.

She told him of the prophecy about Harry and the intense preparing they went through for the war. She told him of the final battle. Of how so many had gave their lives to allow Harry to live just a little longer.

Finally, her voice laced with sorrow, she told him of how Harry had died as he killed Voldemort to protect the wizarding world. He had done it for them.

When she was done, Sirius took her into his arms, simply holding her tightly to him and rocking her gently. She cried into his chest, crying for all those who had died. The emotions that had been kept bottled up inside for so long finally came spilling out and Sirius just held her.

Sirius kissed the top of her head as her body raked with sobs, wondering how she made it through every day with this heavy burden weighing down on her. But he was here not to help her, and he had no intention of leaving her. He wasn't going to let her push him away.

"Hermione," he whispered hoarsely, his voice full of emotion. "Hermione, love, let me help you."

She pulled back to look at him through tear-filled eyes. "How?" she asked quietly.

He smiled down at her and wiped at her tears with his thumb before replacing it with his lips. "By letting me love you," he said gently before claiming her lips.

She moaned softly and he took full advantage by sliding his tongue through her parted lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and he responded by running his hand down her side, coming to rest where her dress had ridden up.

Breaking the kiss, he leaned back to look at her. "What do you want Hermione?" he asked huskily, his breath ragged.

"I want you," she replied seriously.

"Are you sure?"

Hermione smiled seductively and trailed one hand down his chest until one nail traced its way along the irregular patterns on the zipper of his pants. "Oh, I'm sure."

Sirius let out a groan and swung her deftly up in his arms. He carried her to her bedroom where he sat her down on her feet before capturing her parted lips. They clutched desperately to each other.

Sirius slid his hands down her side, seeking the hem of her dress. He pulled it off her quickly and ripped his own shirt off. Skin on skin, they touched each other, learning the contours of each others body, removing all other articles of clothing in their exploration.

They fell to the bed, Sirius rolling to pin Hermione underneath him. He grinned down at her and kissed the column of her neck leaving a trail of fire along her skin till he reached her breast. He lightly traced one nipple with his tongue before taking it into the warmth of his mouth. Hermione moaned and wiggled beneath him. Hermione moaned and wiggled beneath him as he continued his assault on her other breast.

He trailed his kisses down her flat stomach, pressing butterfly kisses over her, teasing her. His hand trailed down to stroke her, causing her to moan loudly.

"Sirius please," she begged causing him to look up and smile at her. "Please…"

He grinned and lightly kissed her lips. "Whatever you want, my love."

Hermione looked at him then, a little nervous. "Sirius?" I've….um….never really done this before…"

Sirius pressed a light kiss to her nose. "Trust me," he whispered.

"I do," she whispered back against his neck.

He moved over her and entered her slowly, giving her time to adjust. He caught her lips with his as he went deeper. She cried out against his lips as she felt a small stab of pain.

He paused and waited for her, lightly nibbling the creamy skin of her throat. She arched against him in pleasure and he pushed into her, her hips rising to meet his with each thrust.

They cried out together as they came, holding onto each other tight. Sirius collapsed onto the bed beside her and drew her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. He could hear her slow breathing and lightly kissed her temple before falling to sleep beside her.

A/N: hope I didn't make you guys cringe too badly. I'll try to update by Saturday. Oh, response to reviews can be found under my live journal. Link is under my other penname RainynDawn. Thanks for reading and PLEASE review!