DISCLAIMER: I solemnly swear that I do not own Harry Potter…

A/N: Sorry this was so late in the coming…I've been rather bumfuzzled for good ideas as of late in this story and I haven't really had time to write. Sorry.

Chapter 17:

When Hermione awoke, she immediately felt that something was missing. It was then that she knew that she was on the couch in the Gryffindor common room…alone. She opened her eyes slightly and looked around, searching for Sirius.

She felt something move on her stomach and her eyes immediately flew open the rest of the way to discover what it was. She gasped in surprise when she found two black eyes peering intently at her. She giggled when the owner of those eyes' pink tongue darted out to lick her bare stomach.

"Hello puppy," Hermione greeted, granting the puppy with a pat on the head. "Where did you come from I wonder."

The puppy in question was black in colour and had slightly shaggy fur. The size made Hermione guess that it would grow up to be a pretty big dog. In truth, Hermione thought it resembled Sirius when he was in his animagus form.

"What's that you got there?" Hermione asked when she saw a piece of parchment tucked into the silver collar. She slipped it out and opened it slowly.

Happy Christmas my dearest Hermione! I am your first gift. My name is Snuffles. Make your way to the place where all meet to discover your next gift.

Hermione smiled as she stroked the pup's shaggy head, resulting in Snuffles closing his eyes and yawning peacefully. Snuffles, Hermione thought with a grin, how appropriate.

She tucked the letter into the pocket of her pajama pants and rose from the couch. Snuffles obediently stayed as Hermione had instructed as she exited the common room.

A place where all meet, she thought to herself as she walked down the corridors. It could either mean the Great Hall or the Quidditch pitch.

After short deliberation, Hermione decided on the Great Hall. She was not going to go traipsing through the snow no matter the reason.

The Great Hall was deserted when she entered, but seeing as how it was still very early for anyone to be out of bed, Hermione didn't feel discomforted by this fact. However, a lone gift sat on the owl podium at the front of the room, its' wrapping gleaming brightly.

Hermione slowly made her way towards it, wondering what could possibly be in it and if it would send her somewhere else. After finally reaching the box, she paused and with a deep breath, touched the wrapping.

Nothing happened, though Hermione hadn't really thought anything would. Slowly, she pried the lid off of it and reached a hand inside.

She gasped softly as she lifted out the soft material. It was a black velvet cloak that was laced with silver. It clasped at the neck with a silver leaf brooch.

She slipped the cloak on and reached back into the box, withdrawing a pair of velvet gloves and a hat to match this time. Smiling, she put them on and looked down at herself, giggling slightly with pure happiness. She was going to have to give Sirius a big kiss, not that she was complaining of course.

She then noticed the letter that was attached to the box. She quickly grabbed it and opened it, reading the note within.

Only the best will do, for a lady such as you. Travel next to where knowledge is kept, be careful though and watch your step.

Hermione stared at the parchment in confusion. Watch your step? What the bloody hell was that supposed to mean?

The place where knowledge is kept, Hermione thought, tapping her chin. Of course! The library! That could be the only place it meant.

Hermione quickly turned, her new cloak swirling around her, and sped out of the Great Hall towards the hallway where the library was located.

She walked into the empty library and looked around, her eyes searching frantically for the gift. The others had been so obvious that she just assumed that this one would be too.

She walked in between the shelves and through the tables, not watching where she was going. Suddenly, she tripped and crashed to the floor, the hood of the cloak going up over her face.

She turned her head around to find the offending object that had caused her to fall. She found herself staring at a pair of while ice skates.

She sat up slowly, hefting herself up, and picked up the skates, finding yet another letter attached to them. She pulled the letter off and opened it curiously.

Round-n-round in figure eights, I will teach you how to skate. Walk to where the willow stays, search for me where the giant squid lays.

Hermione smiled at the parchment. So Sirius had remembered her wish to learn how to skate. To tell the truth, she had almost forgot mentioning it to him about a month ago.

She gathered up the skates and rushed out of the library and out of the main doors, the cloak protecting her from the wind. She put up her free hand to keep the velvet hand in place while she continued running across the grounds towards the sombre willow.

She was unaware of the sun rising, announcing the official start of Christmas day. She continued to run to the spot where the giant squid often inhabited, looking around for Sirius as she went.

She saw Sirius right away. He had his back to her, staring out at the frozen lake, but turned as she approached. He smiled sweetly at her and extended his hand to her.

She stopped running and walked over to him, taking his hand in hers. He led her to a bench that he had transfigured from a piece of bark and urged her to take a seat. Once she was seated, he traded his and her regular shoes for skates.

Without a word, he led her out onto the ice, pulling her along with graceful movements. She tried to pull away, to stay near the bank, but he would not let her.

"Sirius," Hermione protested, "I can't do this."

"Then it's time for you to learn," Sirius stated simply with a smile as he drew her into his embrace, keeping her securely within his arms.

He skilfully glided along the ice, keeping her on her feet while he sashayed them both across the ice. She tensed every time he would turn them and spin and each time she would hear his deep chuckle, sending shivers down her spine.

"Relax," he chuckled in her ear, kissing her neck lovingly. "I've got you, trust me."

She smiled up at him as she relaxed in his arms, letting herself be drug along. She did trust him; she trusted him more than anyone for she not only trusted him with her safety, but with her heart as well.

She loved him, she knew that now as he looked down at her with his deep onyx eyes. She would love him now, while she could, and let herself enjoy the time they had together for she knew one day that they would have to part.

She turned her head away briefly and when she looked back up, she found him smiling down at her with a secretive smile. Yes, she loved him and she would do anything for him.

He slowly brought his head down to hers, lightly touching her lips with his own, and smiled against her slightly parted lips. She sighed with content and found she could only kiss him again.

O O O O O

Later, after they finished skating, Sirius led Hermione up to the Astronomy Tower. He had put together a very romantic dinner for just the two of them without any help at all. In fact, he had risen very early in the morning to go down to the kitchens to prepare their meal.

Candles lined the walls, emitting a soft glow and soft music was playing in the background, adding to the mood. The room was darkened despite the time of day and Hermione found that she could not quit smiling.

"Oh Sirius," Hermione sighed, "it's all so lovely."

"Yeah," Sirius agreed though he was not looking at the scene but at her, "it is."

Hermione turned to look at him and found him staring intently at her. Black met honey in a silent conversation, the eyes saying what each was afraid to say. They showed the truth, the truth that neither acknowledged but it was there. Love.

Hermione watched, her gaze never faltering from his as he walked purposefully towards her. She watched as he reached out a hand and placed it on her hip, urging her closer to him. That arm wrapped around her waist while his other hand reached up and touched her cheek lovingly.

She let one arm slowly drift up and wrap around his neck while she placed her other hand on his chest, making small circles with her fingertips.

She smiled up at him while his head lowered towards hers, his lips barely touching hers. Slowly, he allowed his lips to teaser hers, his tongue running lightly across the part of her lips. She parted her lips and his tongue immediately sought refuge inside her mouth, letting it run across her tongue slowly.

He slowly lifted his head up, his eyes staring down at her in thought. "Hermione…," he whispered, his voice breaking with emotion while his black eyes never left hers, "I think I might love you."

Hermione felt a tingling sensation all the way from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, awakening everything inside of her. She smiled up at him, falling more deeply in love with him at his confession and finding that she wanted to be with him…forever.

"You know what," she whispered as she ran her fingers through his black locks, "I think I might just love you too, Sirius Black."

His lips crushed hers in a silent agreement. There was no need of words tonight, just feelings. The romantic dinner was left forgotten as they made there way back to the Gryffindor tower, never once breaking contact.

That night, they allowed their love to lead them, taking them places neither had ever been.

A/N: Need to explain something here: I don't mean by that last line that Sirius has never slept with a girl before… I mean, come on, he's a playboy! What I meant was that it was different with Hermione cause he actually like-likes Hermione and thinks that he loves her. Anyways, I'm keeping this story PG-13 and somewhere along the way I lost the original plot and a different one will soon come into play.. somewhere…

ANYWHOS, this chapter is short and forgive me but I was going to add another section on but decided that this chapter would best be left to pure, unadulterated fluff! Anyways, love me and review Please!

Much love as always,

Amaya XO