Chapter 2: Conversations and Kisses

Hermione slowly and quietly walked down the from the girl's dormitory to the common room, trying not to make any noise. It was pretty early but she couldn't sleep. She tip toed across the common room and headed towards the portrait hole.

"Morning," a strong voice said from behind her, causing her to gasp and whirl around. She was face to face with Sirius.

"You... scared me," Hermione said between breaths. She had her hand over her heart.

"Sorry," he said grinning. "What are you doing sneaking around before everybody is awake?"

"I could ask you that too," Hermione replied regaining her calmness.

"Couldn't sleep," Sirius mumbled.

"Me either," Hermione said. "What is that?" she asked referring to a piece of paper that he was holding.

"Oh this is a letter from James's parents," Sirius explained.

"Why are they writing to you?" Hermione asked.

"Well they're writing to tell me that they want me to come to their house again for Christmas. I don't know why they bother though. I've been coming over their house every summer and holiday for the past couple years. They're just being friendly though. The Potters are wonderful people. They took me in when I had nowhere else to go. Great people."

Hermione of course knew all about Sirius's family, but she couldn't tell him that she did. So she decided to play along. "Why don't you live with your parents?"

He waited a moment before answering. "Hermione, do you know anything about the Blacks?" he questioned.

Of course I do, she thought, but she decided it would be safer just to play stupid. "No I don't," Hermione answered.

"Are you a muggleborn?" he asked. She nodded. "Now, you see, my parents would hate you because you're a muggleborn. It's horrible I know. But the Blacks are all purebloods and they believe in all that crap that purebloods are better than the rest of us." Sirius paused. "I don't believe that of course, and one day my mother and I got into a huge fight over it, and then her and my dad kicked me out and said they never wanted to see me again."

"That's horrible," Hermione said sadly. Even though she already had heard it before, it didn't make the story less depressing. She considered for a moment telling Sirius that at least he wasn't called a mudblood all the time, but then changed her mind. It was definitely worse for Sirius than her. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Sirius said, now starting to smile. "James's parents are like family to me."

I wonder how they died, Hermione thought. She knew they died before James and Lily did, but that was about it. Sirius broke her train of thought.

"What about your parents?" he asked.

"Oh, they're both muggle dentists. Ya know, dentists are muggles who clean teeth," she explained.

He grinned. "I know what a dentist is Hermione, I'm not completely clueless to the muggle world."

"Right. Well, I wasn't sure. Anyway, my parents are great. I couldn't ask for anyone better. And they fully support me being a witch."

"That's great. You're very lucky. Do you have a boyfriend where you came from?"

"Nah," she replied laughing.

"What's funny?" he asked.

"Nothing it's just--- I concentrate on my schoolwork a lot, and I guess guys don't really like that. I'm kind of a nerd," Hermione explained.

"Well those guys don't deserve you," Sirius said.

She beamed at him. It was nice when someone didn't make fun of her to studying so much or mind how many books she read. It was nice having someone see her as more than just a bookworm. But wait... this was Sirius. Her best friend's godfather. And he was 20 years older than she was. Wow, I must really be losing it, she thought. I need to get out. Hermione abruptly stood up from the sofa that she had made her way over to during their conversation.

"I gotta go. I have to get my schedule from Professor McGonagall," she said.

"All right, bye," he said a little disappointed. Hermione started to walk over to the portrait hole.

"Hermione," he called. She turned around. "I was thinking... you see, there's a Hogsmeade trip this weekend, and since you've never been there I thought... I could show you around," he finally said.

"Sirius, I---" she paused. "Sure."

"Great," he said smiling. "I'll see you later."

Hermione quickly made her way out of the portrait hole and mentally cursed herself. Why couldn't I think of an excuse? I could have said anything! Merlin, I'm so stupid. What is Harry gonna think? she wondered. She shook off her thoughts and went to the library for a bit. She was just about to get a different book when she saw Harry heading towards her from a distance.

"Good morning Harry, how are you?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Harry asked ignoring her welcome.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Are you mad? Telling Sirius you'll go on a date with him?"

"Sirius told you?" Hermione said biting her lower lip.

"I overheard him telling the rest of the Marauders," Harry explained.

"I didn't mean to. He asked me and I just couldn't think of an excuse in time. Plus, it's not a date. He's just showing me around," she said defending herself.

"Okay maybe you don't think it's a date, but trust me, he thinks of it as a date."

"Harry, look, I'll just go to Hogsmeade with him, and there I'll make it perfectly clear to him that I just want to be his friend," Hermione said.

"Okay good. Because I mean, you know how he was with girls when he was young. He told me and Ron all about it."

"Told you what?" Hermione asked curiously.

"That he shagged a number of girls while he was in school here," Harry replied.

"I don't believe that," Hermione said automatically. "Sirius is a good guy."

"Of course he's a good guy. He's like a father to me Hermione, I guess he just never really wanted a serious relationship. But I mean, he was 17, you can't blame him. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"Thanks, I appreciate the concern I really do, but I think I can take care of myself," she said frustrated.

"Sorry, let's just go eat breakfast and forget about it," Harry reasoned.

"Fine," Hermione said getting up and putting her book away. She decided to change the subject. "So what's it like seeing your parents?"

Harry beamed. "Oh Hermione, it's sensational. They're wonderful! Lily is smart and funny and kind. And James is... well, he seems to be a bit cold towards me at the moment, but I'm sure that will change once he gets to know me better. And they're so happy together. And seeing Sirius again is too good to be true. But it is weird seeing him alive again, ya know?"

"Yeah," she agreed. "And young."

Harry and Hermione walked down to breakfast and saw the Marauders and Lily sitting at the far end of the Gryffindor table.

"Harry Hermione over here!" they heard Sirius yell as he motioned for them to come over. James however did not seem so happy about this. Hermione started walking over towards them when Harry grabbed her by the arm.

"Hermione, listen. I'm just gonna say one last thing. No matter how charming Sirius may be, not only is he 20 years older than you, but he's dead," Harry reminded her.

"Okay Harry, I understand," Hermione said frustrated. What right does Harry have telling me what to do? Wait, no. What am I thinking? He's right. I shouldn't like Sirius. No, I don't. He's just cute, that's all. No, he's not cute! Not at all. Oh, yes he is. Stop it! she pushed this all to the back of her head as she followed Harry over to the Marauders table and sat down across from Sirius and next to James. Harry sat down next to Lily, which earned him an evil glare from James. Harry and Lily talked a lot during breakfast, while the rest of the group had another conversation going on.

When they were done with breakfast, they all went to Potions. Harry was more than thankful that Professor Snape would not be teaching it. Harry partnered up with Hermione for the potion they were making. "Let's just try not to get sent back further in the past this time," Harry joked. Hermione giggled softly.

"Hermione, there's something I don't understand," Harry said.

"What is it?" she asked as she measured certain ingredients.

"Well, we're changing the future right now, aren't we? By being here. So why didn't the older Sirius or Remus ever say something about you and me coming back in time and seeing my parents?" Harry asked.

"They probably weren't aloud to say anything Harry," Hermione said. She then froze. "Wait a second. If the older Sirius knew about all this... then he knew about liking me."

Harry laughed. "That's right. I bet he felt stupid. When he realized how much older than you he was."

"Wow, I'm embarrassed now," Hermione said.

"Don't be. It's all ridiculous really," Harry replied. "Anyway, what would be so horrible about telling everyone the future? I don't understand Dumbledore. It would only do good. My parents and Sirius would both live. Dumbledore doesn't know what he's talking about."

"Oh Harry, please tell me you're joking. We've been over this, you know you can't say anything to them," Hermione said worried.

"The future isn't set Hermione, we can do whatever we want," Harry said, his voice growing a little louder.

A few people had turned around from their potions to look at them. "Harry, lower your voice. Do you want people to hear us?" she asked in a whisper. "Anyway, I think Dumbledore is being stupid by letting us stay here at all. He should have sent us someplace else. It's too risky for us to stay in here with your parents and everything. Something could easily slip Harry. Or they could overhear us talking. Like we are now."

"What? Hermione, I have never known my parents! This is the only chance I'm ever gonna have! Dumbledore, unlike you, understands that. Gosh Hermione, sometimes you act so heartless!" Harry yelled in a whisper.

Tears filled up in her eyes. "You think I'm heartless Harry? Because I'm being logical, is that why? I gotta go." She stood up from the potion she was making and ran out of the classroom.

"Wait Hermione, I didn't mean it!" Harry called, but she was already gone. The whole class and the professor were staring at Harry. "Yeah, she's not feeling too well. She ate a huge breakfast." The class continued to stare. "I'm gonna go see if she's all right." With that, he ran out of the classroom also.

"Mr. Parsons, come back!" the professor called, but Harry ignored him. He had to find Hermione and apologize. He sprinted to the nearest girl's bathroom and hesitated before going in. He leaned in but didn't hear anything so he went in. Hermione was standing over one of the sinks. She wasn't crying but she looked pretty hurt.

"Go away Harry," she said calmly.

"Hermione listen, I didn't mean it. You're not heartless. You're my best friend. It's just... you don't know what it's like not having parents. And then it's like seeing them again and knowing I have the power to change things... it's hard. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she said starting to smile. He walked over to her and gave her a big hug.

"Okay maybe we should go back to class?" Harry said.

"Class is over. It's time to go to Transfiguration. I just hope Professor Smith doesn't give us a bad grade on that potion," she said worried.

"Merlin Hermione, this isn't even our time. Our grades won't matter!" Harry said.

"I know, but still..." Hermione said grinning. He smiled and they went to Transfiguration.

At Dinner

"Hey, so why do you guys think Harry said to Hermione that made her storm out during Potions today?" Peter asked the rest of the Marauders.

"I don't know but he seems like a jerk to me," Sirius said. "I mean, she was crying, did you guys see that?"

"I'm glad someone agrees with me about that kid," James said.

"You guys, you have no idea what happened, don't jump to conclusions," Remus commented.

"Remus is right. James, why don't you like him? I was talking to him at breakfast. He seems perfectly nice," Lily said.

"That's the thing. He's too nice. It's obvious he's got a major crush on you," James replied.

"What? No he doesn't. He's just being friendly," Lily said.

"Yeah, sure, friendly."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Why don't we just ask them what happened instead of gossiping about it?"

"She's got a point," Peter said.

"I'm gonna go, I'm done eating," Sirius said getting up.

"But Sirius, dinner has just started. The students aren't even all here yet," Lily said.

"I know, I'm just not hungry." He walked away without another word. He left the Great Hall and saw Hermione walking toward him. "Hermione," he said getting her attention.

"Hi," she said sweetly.

"Do you wanna go take a walk with me?" he asked genuinely.

"But dinner just started," she replied confused.

"We can eat anytime. I wanna show you something," he whispered in her ear. It sent shivers down her spine.

"Okay," she said. He grabbed her hand and she followed him outside. They walked in silence for a while and then finally stopped. There was a bright blue lake and above it was a sunset. It was definitely one of the most beautiful views she had ever seen. How have I never found this before? she wondered. I thought I knew where everything was around here.

"Wow," was all she managed.

"You like it?" he asked grinning.

"Yeah," she replied. "It's amazing. How did you find it?"

"James and I found it fourth year. We were just exploring the grounds," Sirius explained. "I come here a lot. Just to think."

"Think about what?" she questioned.

"Life," he replied simply. "Do you ever wonder where you'll be in 20 years? 30 even."

You'll be dead in 30 years, she thought. Her face fell.

"Something wrong?" Sirius asked.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Hermione said quickly.

"You wanna sit?" he said taking a seat on the grass. Hermione did the same. "Ya know, I've got to admit, you're not like most of the girls here."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" she asked.

"Good," he said smiling.

There was a moment of silence. And then, she didn't really know what happened next. It all happened so fast; there was no time to think. Sirius leaned in closer to her and their lips met. The kiss was sweet for a moment, and then he began to kiss her more passionately. His tongue entered her mouth and their tongues mingled for a moment. All of a sudden, Hermione abruptly backed up to end their kiss. She looked into his eyes for a few seconds, and then without thinking, she leaned in and kissed him for the second time.

Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update! I've been out of town and had no Internet access. Next update will be sooner, I promise! Review now! :o)