Another big thank you to GillianLSteele, sergeant peace and dixie326 for their new reviews. And to JayBat, who gave me the idea of Tonks taking matters into her hands.

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It seemed to Hermione that this dinner would never end. Since Arthur and Molly's arrival, she hadn't found any possibility to have some time alone with Sirius. They had all gathered on the terrace before dinner. Sirius seemed to avoid her gaze, and took little part to the general conversation, a faraway, sad expression in his eyes. Added to that, Hermione had caught several looks from Molly, directed at Sirius, that could only be described as malevolent glares.

Tonks as well had noticed that somehting seemed to be wrong with both Hermione and Sirius. Luckily, it was time for Teddy to go to bed, and the little boy, who had taken a liking to Sirius, declared that he wanted one of his cousin's bedtime story (Sirius had proved to be surprisingly good at that). Tonks saw in that request an opportunity to take the man aside and talk some sense into him.

And so, once Teddy was tucked into bed, his eyes full of dreams, she grabbed Sirius' arm, led him to the nearby fancy game room that had once been Jame's, and asked him abruptly :

"What happened between you and Hermione ? I saw you glance at her with some kind of guilty expression any time she didn't looked your way."

Sirius sighed. "We kissed. This afternoon at the beach."

"At last ! No need to look that gloomy. That's the best thing you did since you arrived here. Hermione is crazy about you."

"It shouldn't have happened", said Sirius darkly. "I've been completely irresponsible, once again."

"Why should you be the responsible one ?" smiled Tonks. "Hermione is a big girl, she can make her own choices, like I did when I chose Remus."

"It's not the same thing", said Sirius.

"Why ever not ?"

"Because Remus, though quite old for you, is one of the kindest, most thoughtful men in the world."

"Siri", said Tonks gently, "you know how much I love Remus, but in my opinion you're as admirable as he is, in your own way."

Sirious let out a bitter, barkink laugh. "Remus didn't get his best friends killed, didn't get himself locked up because of his own stupidity."

"You're far too hard on yourself", replied Tonks. "You did what you thought was best when you suggested Peter as the Secret Keeper, according to Remus, he seemed to uttlerly worship James. You were ready to attract Voldemort's attention on you, you were ready to die to protect Peter and his secret. And what would you have done if Dumbledore hadn't kept Harry from you ? Wouldn't you have abandonned any idea of revenge on Peter, to take care of your godson?"

"Of course. But…"

"Then stop blaming yourself", said Tonks firmly. "You're not responsible for Harry spending his childhood at the Dursleys', Dumbledore is. And you're the one who paid the highest price for one mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, or thinks they have. I know that Remus can't forgive himself for not having found a way of helping you … as if he could have done anything, with his condition !"

"Whatever", said Sirius, "she could do so much better than me."

"Don't you know how much she admires you ? Besides, that's not the point. The point is, you're the one she wants, and that's final. Just as I wouldn't have settled with anyone else but Remus, once I'd met him. If he had stuck stubbornly to his own stupid idea of what was the noble thing to do, I'd have remained single all my life, I think."

"Why do you think Hermione broke up with Ron ?"

"Why don't you ask her ? Anyway, if you want my opinion, you're a far better match for her than him, and not just on the intellectual level. You're both fiercely loyal, selfless, completely committed to your beliefs. And you are complementary too. You could teach her to take things more lightly sometimes, and maybe she'd be able to put some sense into you, when needed, she added with a smile. So stop being an idiot, tell him you love her, and allow yourself to be happy at last."

"But she might get over her present feelings and find someone who…"

"Stop that. Think of all what she has done for you. Do you want to make her miserable ? For I can tell you that she'll be very, very miserable if you don't give a chance to that relationship. For her, it has always been you. She said as much to Remus this afternoon. I think she began dating Ron because he was safe, because he was a friend, and she couldn't take an interest in anyone else, as her heart belonged to you. Do you think you'll make her miserable, if you marry her?"

"I'd do everything I could to make her happy, you know that", said Sirius fevently.

"The same way Remus makes me happy, every single day. Werewolf curse and all. Don't I look happy ?" she added, with an half affectionate, half teasing smile.

Sirius smiled back, the light of a new hope in his eyes.

"Thank you, Dora", he said. "Maybe you're right."

"You bet I am !"