September 19th, 2005.

"Sirius Black, you're the fucking dog!"

"No, that's Padfoot," threw back Sirius as Hermione promptly walked away from him and their conversation, slamming the door to her room loudly.

James and Lily hurried inside the kitchen, eyeing the retreating form of the witch before turning to him with accusing stares. "What did you do, now?" the redheaded questioned.

He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "I may or may not have asked her where she was last night and - err, insinuated that she was a female dog." He grimaced in shame, recalling the look on her face.

Sirius admitted that it was terribly wrong of him to say that. He'd just been too pissed to care about whatever was coming out of his mouth at the time.

They had all gone out last night. The witch had presented herself in a tight, red velvet dress that had hugged her lovely arse, leaving everyone to appreciate it. The way music had buzzed around his ears when he'd seen her walk in . . . it had left him absolutely annoyed.

Sirius had tried convincing himself he was just finding her attractive. He'd thought that he couldn't even call it an infatuation. No, he'd scoffed at the idea. That was Hermione Granger he'd been talking about.

He'd mentally protested that it was merely his appreciation for a woman's beauty. Sirius Black was not one to be hung up thinking of just one witch.

But now . . . it had been three months for Merlin's sake!

The two of them had managed to get a rise out of each other all the time, leaving everyone else to wait as they calmed down, apologized and proceeded to talk to one another as though they hadn't just had a row.

He liked that about them, he'd admitted while he'd chatted up with a few other witches for the rest of the night. He had been planning on approaching her but just as he'd taken a step forward, Blaise Zabini had decided to lead her outside, his arm wrapped around her waist as they had apparated away.

Sirius had barely slept a wink, in hopes of catching sight of her or even hearing her stumble through the fireplace like she usually did.

Instead of last night, the Floo had roared by the time he had finished having breakfast. She'd greeted him with a radiating smile and her heels resting in her petite hands. For once, he had been too blind with jealousy to stare at the gorgeous quirk of her lips, rather than her mussed curls and smudged red lipstick.

He had loathed his brain for supplying him with images that should never be made public.

Sirius had tightly gripped the edge of the table before he'd addressed her. "Where were you?"

Hermione had blinked, practically oblivious. "I was with Zabini."

"I know, but where did he take you?" Sirius had crossed his arms, staring at her pointedly.

"That's none of your business," she had replied hotly with narrowed eyes.

He had ignored her tone and look of warning as usual. He had known that he was going too far, but the irritation that had been building up inside of him all night had urged him to continue. And he had done just that.

"Did he kick you out of his house before or after you begged for a signature hickey?"

Marching up to him, she had jabbed her finger against his chest. Her hair had come to life, crackling magic running through her curls, and her cheeks had flushed darker than they'd been before she'd arrived.

He would've been proud over the darker tinge of her cheeks had it not been for the circumstances.

"Who are you to ask me that?" she had demanded, chastising him for his vulgar language with the look on her face.

"No one special, of course. You leave that spot for other men," he had muttered bitterly as he had grabbed her wrist and pulled her against his chest.

"Tell me," he'd whispered, wearing a tight expression. "How many guys have you left in the morning like this?"

She'd pushed him away and given him a strained laugh. "Ah, it must've hit too close - women leaving you after a shag before you can even blink at them."

His brows had risen in surprise. "Are you calling me a slag?"

"No, you're the one insinuating I'm a fucking bitch."

The words had tumbled out before he could stop himself. "Well, maybe you are!"

He had then blinked at the shine that had filled the gaze in front of him.

"I—Hermione, I didn't mean—"

He had started to take a step towards her, but she'd put out her hand to stop him, stepping back even further. "Don't," she'd hissed. "Sirius Black, you are the fucking dog." And after his idiotic quip, she had stormed away and headed to her bedroom, leaving him to stare at her back dejectedly.

As he recalled the event, he was brought back to reality when James groaned loudly. "Padfoot, of all days, you chose today to make her angry." His best mate paused for a second before he added, "More than usual."

Sirius stared at him blankly. "Why? What's today?"

James opened and closed his mouth numerous times.

"Oh, just the birthday of the girl you supposedly like and finished calling a bitch," Lily said flatly, her emerald eyes sparking in annoyance in a way that screamed danger.

"Fuck."

They looked at him in disbelief. "Alright, Pads. I'm not going to ask what your intentions are with Hermione because I'll leave that job to Harry and Remus, but I want you to know that I've grown quite close to the witch and Lily here considers her - uhm, sister or daughter?" James asked, glancing at his wife.

"Daughter . . . I think. Gods, I'm twenty-one and I have kids older than me."

—

After making the couple promise that they wouldn't tell Harry of what had transpired that morning, Sirius proceeded to stare at a particular door.

It was pulled open only after several, incessant knocks from his behalf.

Sirius could be quite stubborn.

He took in the sight of the woman, and his eyes softened greatly. Her curls had now turned frizzy, and her eyes were bloodshot red, all because of him. He swallowed dryly. "I'm sorry, Kitten. I really didn't mean to act that way."

When Hermione stayed silent, he continued with his heartfelt apology. "I was worried - for you, I mean. But it still doesn't excuse my behaviour."

He watched as fury left her eyes and a frown forced her brows together. Inhaling sharply, she met his gaze and mumbled softly, "It's alright. I've called you worse other times."

His lips parted on a breath and he repressed the urge to give her a crushing hug as she sent him a small, lazy smile. He decided on leaning against the wall instead, and he gave her the kind of smile that he only saved for her.

She blinked at the hand he held out, and Sirius offered an explanation, "Would Lady Granger like to watch a filp before going to the Weasleys?"

She chuckled softly and gave him a nod, interlacing her fingers with his.

"It's called film, Sirius."

He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Alright, brightest witch of the age."