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"Grab me another one too, Moony," Sirius called as he stretched his feet out onto the coffee table.

"Anyone else?" Remus asked as he opened the icebox to grab himself and Sirius another drink. James and Peter called out their affirmatives and Remus came back with a handful of butterbeers. He set them on the coffee table for everyone to grab one. "Now," Remus announced as he flopped back onto the couch beside Sirius, "tell me about this witch."

Sirius clenched his jaw. He slowly turned his head to see his werewolf friend grinning at him slyly. "What?" Remus questioned with a smirk. "Did you think because Pete and I were out on a mission we wouldn't hear about it? Come on, Pads. An underage witch? You? What's really going on?"

Sirius took a long drag of his cigarette, slowly blowing the smoke out between pursed lips. "No joke," he finally responded coolly. "I'm dating her." He smirked into the fire. "I'm going steady."

Remus and Peter snickered at that. They both turned to James in the cushy armchair, one leg thrown over the armrest. The messy haired wizard shrugged. "He's not kidding. Her name's Hermione."

Remus frowned in confusion. "Wait - you mean Hermione Granger?"

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "How do you know her?" he questioned sharply.

The werewolf rolled his eyes. "Put it back in your trousers, Padfoot. We went to school with her. We were in the same bloody house, 'course I know her. I didn't know you knew her."

Sirius shrugged. "I didn't. I had to go to St. Mungos after a battle and I met her there." At his friends' curious stares, he continued the contrived story that he and she had made that first day in the Headmaster's office. "She was hurt in Hogsmeade and was in a special recovery suite and we bumped into each other."

Peter looked at Sirius like he was crazy. "And you decided you were going to marry her?" Remus crossed his arms, thinking Peter had a fairly good point there.

Sirius glared. "What's it to you?" He gestured to James. "Prongs hasn't got a problem with it. Why do you?"

Peter turned bright red and shrugged, his head nearly disappearing between his shoulders as he hunched over. "Just seems a bit out of character for you, doesn't it?" The last part was directed to both Remus and James.

"I completely agree," Remus stated loudly. He grinned slyly. "Which is why I owled the witch." James' eyes widened in horror. Sirius nearly jumped to his feet.

"You did what?"

Remus rolled his eyes, smile still firmly in place. "Calm yourself, Padfoot. It's Hogsmeade weekend, it'd be a shame not to see your girlfriend because of us."

Sirius looked like he was honestly contemplating strangling his best mate. "She's studying for NEWTs."

Remus shrugged. "Well, now she's expecting to see you in," he looked at his watch, "... now-ish?"

Sirius leapt from the couch. "Fuck." He slammed his butterbeer down on the table and sent his ex-best friend a glare. "Don't fucking owl my witch, Moony!" Remus didn't even flinch. It was something Sirius had done to each of them a million times. Sirius waved his hand and the cigarette magically disappeared from his fingers. "Fuck!" Sirius grabbed his leather jacket from the back of the couch.

"Moony," James scolded.

"Oh, come on, Prongs," Remus scoffed. "As if you don't want to see them together." James made a pained face. He couldn't deny that. He'd never seen Sirius and Hermione playacting their relationship, but from the way the wizarding world was already whispering about them, they must do it perfectly. "You should grab Lily too. She'll be furious if she doesn't get to meet Hermione."

Sirius spun around. "How about you all go and fucking get Lily so I can warn my girlfriend before this bloody ambush?"

James winced while Remus nodded agreeably. "Sounds great. Grab a table at the Three Broomsticks for us?"

Sirius glared at Remus. "Go fuck yourself, mate." He slammed the door shut behind him as he left his flat. He turned and immediately apparated to Hogsmeade. Sirius dashed towards the kissing gates and nearly cried out in relief when he saw Hermione safely tucked away on the Hogwarts side of the stone arch.

"Hermione!" he called out as he neared.

Hermione raised an eyebrow and cocked her hip to the side. "You're late," she announced, her arms crossed before the rainbow printed across her chest.

Sirius pulled her into his arms and growled beneath his arms. "Don't you ever fucking do that again," he ordered.

Hermione pulled back but Sirius kept a tight hold on her. She leaned back enough so could glare at his face. "Excuse me? You're the one who decided to set up a date when I told you I wanted to study for NEWTs."

"Remus sent you that letter."

"Yes," she agreed, "claiming we were all getting together."

"You don't know Remus!" he thundered and Hermione leaned back even further. "He didn't tell me about this until less than five bloody minutes ago!" he waved his hand wildly.

Hermione's eyes widened. She grabbed his arm and settled it back around her waist. "Alright, Sirius," she whispered. People were looking and they really didn't want to cause a scene. She touched a hand to his cheek. "It's okay. I didn't cross the boundary line."

His eyes narrowed on her. "That's not the point. You don't come down to Hogsmeade unless we agree upon it, got it?"

She nodded quickly. "Got it. I'm sorry. Are we mad at Remus about this?"

"What?" Sirius shook his head, genuinely confused. "Of course not. This is just something we do whenever one of us gets a new bird." Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Invite them out without the other knowing so we get to meet her." Sirius rolled his eyes. "He's just so bloody giddy because they've never done it to me before. Bastards."

Hermione laughed. "Okay, well then that's good. It means we've fooled them."

Sirius gave her a look like he thought she was hopelessly naive, a look Hermione did not appreciate. "Kitten… we are not out of the woods, we've just entered the woods and there's a bloody wolf inside ready to sniff us out in a second. Everyone else in the world could believe us, but if they don't - we're screwed."

"Okay, okay," she put her hands on his shoulders. "Just calm down. We can do this. You lead, I follow. James will have our back. And when in doubt - snog me," she finished with a shrug. Sirius raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"You'll be okay with that? I've got your permission to just… snog you? Touch you?"

Hermione's cheeks pinked and she ducked her head. "You do anyway." Sirius didn't say anything. They had boundaries, ones established during that first date in Hogsmeade. There were certain limits that Sirius didn't cross. Hermione sighed. "You have my permission," she stuck a finger under his nose, "but only for today!"

"Oi!" a voice shouted across the street. Sirius turned and glared at Remus. "So much for grabbing us a table, eh?" Sirius sent him the two-finger salute. Hermione gasped and dragged his hand back down.

"Come on," she sighed. She took his hand and the two headed towards the Three Broomsticks.

"And no little whisperings," Sirius said before they reached the door. "My friends have excellent hearing. They will catch us out."

Hermione nodded. "Got it." Sirius took one last look at her in her little high waisted jean skirt and rainbow t-shirt. She looked far too sweet and innocent for the likes of him and his tattoo sleeves and leather trousers. He nearly groaned. His friends were going to eat them alive.

The door opened and the two were instantly assailed with the sounds and smells of so many bodies in such a tight space. The Three Broomsticks was always packed to capacity on Hogsmeade weekends. Sirius guided them through and scanned over the heads of several patrons until he spotted a table at the back with his friends.

Lily jumped to her feet when she saw them and waved her hand excitedly. Hermione smiled at the sight of the former Head Girl and slipped through the crowd. The two girls met for a tight hug. "It's so good to see you again!" Lily exclaimed brightly.

Hermione smiled awkwardly. She'd always felt overwhelmed by the tall, beautiful older witch. Lily had seemed to have this perfectly done air about her. She was clad in tight, high waisted bell bottoms and a long sleeved belly-top tied together at the front. Hermione wasn't sure if Lily was wearing heels as well, or was simply gifted with the height of a model naturally.

"Yes," Hermione nodded and said over the noise, "and congratulations!"

"Oh! Thank you!" Lily held out her hand and showed off her dazzling engagement ring. It was massive, yet looked perfect on her long-fingered hands. Merlin, everything about this witch was perfect, Hermione grumbled in her mind.

"It's beautiful!" She smiled at James next who had stood to greet her. "Congrats!"

"Thanks," he responded with a charming grin. They shook hands, pretending like they hadn't seen each other just two weeks ago.

Hermione turned and greeted Peter and Remus next. Sirius finally made it through the crowd to the table and nodded at everyone. He took a seat next to Remus and pulled Hermione down onto his lap. She stiffened in surprise for a moment but didn't protest. Her entire body was tense as a coiled spring. Her stress was less from the situation and more her position on Sirius' leather-clad thigh. The others had already grabbed drinks from the bar and Hermione sipped the butterbeer offered to her, hoping it would relax her.

"I still can't believe it," Lily gushed from across the table. She sat with her legs dangling over one of James' and her hand wrapped around a butterbeer. "You two are adorable."

Instead of the glare she was expecting from the both of them - or the very least Sirius - Hermione and her 'beau' turned to one another and smiled sweetly. Sirius nudged his nose against hers and they kissed. Hermione pulled back abruptly, her face disgusted. "Have you been smoking?"

Peter and James snickered into their hands. Remus leaned back in his chair, a wide smirk on his face.

Her fake boyfriend shrugged. "Maybe." Sirius leaned close again and Hermione wrinkled her nose as she pulled back further. "Oh, come on!"

"I'm not kissing you after you've been smoking!"

Sirius wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close as she struggled. "Come on, kitten," he cajoled.

"Sirius!" she protested, half laughing as he tried to kiss her again.

Remus leaned forward. "Come here, love. I'll give you a better kiss."

"Alright!" Sirius called out before Hermione could respond. He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out his wand. He cast a spell and turned back to her. "How about now?" Hermione narrowed her eyes suspiciously before cautiously pressing her lips to his again. When she didn't taste cigarettes, she hummed appreciatively.

Sirius pressed a hand to her cheek and softly deepened the kiss. His tongue teased hers and he tried not to groan at the taste of her. It was the first time she'd actually allowed tongue and he had not expected her to taste so sweet. Deep in his chest, he felt Padfoot growl in pleasure. He pulled back before he could get too excited about this unexpected discovery. "Still gonna leave me for that arse?"

Hermione smirked and Sirius instantly knew he wasn't going to like her response. "Well, I don't know, I haven't kissed him yet." She and Remus leaned towards each other and Sirius growled as he pulled her back. The table erupted into laughter. "I'm kidding!" Hermione laughed as he pouted. She wrapped an arm around his neck and leaned into him. "I'm kidding," she said again, giggling as she kissed the side of his still pouting lips.

Sirius swatted her bottom and Hermione jumped, eyes wide. He stole another kiss before he turned his attention back to his friends. He pointed at Remus. "Stay away from my witch."

Remus laughed. "You're just scared because you know one kiss from me and she'd be gone."

Sirius sent him another two-fingered salute. Hermione grabbed his fingers and brought his hand back around her waist. "Stop that," she scolded.

James laughed but it sounded forced. "Bossy, aren't you?" His smile was easy going but his eyes seemed to be a question Hermione couldn't read.

She shot him a winning smile. "Someone's got to keep him in line."

Remus snorted a laugh as he took a sip of butterbeer. "And how are you managing that?" He raised his eyebrows, his expression alone making it rather obvious that he thought no one could keep Sirius in line.

The corner of Hermione's lips quirked up in a way each of the troublesome Marauders could appreciate. "I like to think I've got him right where I want him."

Sirius grinned at that. His hand was inching up her thigh to the hem of her jean skirt and the other was already tangled in the curls hanging down her back. His nose pressed into her neck as he drank in the delightful scent of cherries on her. "Oh, you do, do you?"

Hermione sent her dangerous smirk his way and Sirius couldn't help but admire the glint in her brown eyes. She truly was stunning.

After their rather successful impromptu outing, Sirius and the others dropped Hermione off at the gates. They huddled to the side as Sirius kissed his girlfriend goodbye. She waved as she departed, heading for the last of the carriages to take her back to the castle.

Lily latched on to Sirius' arm as they headed away from the gates. "I love her!" she exclaimed. "Oh, Sirius. She's perfect for you. She's smart and sweet."

"Yeah," Peter agreed with a shake of his head. "I didn't even know you liked good girls."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Remus snorted. "Come on, mate. You've got a type and Hermione has never been it."

"Which is why," Lily cut in, "she is perfect." She pulled Sirius to a halt and gave him a bright, wondering smile. "She isn't a pushover and she's mature and intelligent. Certainly intelligent enough to keep you on your toes." She turned to James. "I don't know why I didn't think of it before!"

James was silent and oddly subdued. He smiled briefly at his fiancé before his eyes flickered back to Sirius. The wizard in question shifted awkwardly, feeling like he'd done something wrong. He ignored the feeling for now and turned to his friends at large. "I'm glad you like her because she's not going anywhere." A lie - there was only a few more weeks before this farce of relationship would be over. Sirius tried not to grimace at the pain in his chest when he thought about that.

Lily couldn't contain her excited bouncing at that. "You're in it for the long haul?"

Sirius nodded and smiled warmly. "Definitely."

Lily squealed. "Oh my god! This is fantastic. I wish I could stay and we could talk about it but I've got to go! I'm meeting up with the girls." She gasped. "I can invite Hermione when she graduates."

Sirius raised his eyebrows and looked past Lily to James. James took the hint and touched his wife's elbow. "I'll see you at home?"

"Yes, of course. Don't wait up." She popped a kiss on James' lips before turning and apparating away after a series of goodbyes.

Sirius shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. "Alright, out with it."

James narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. "Are you fucking her?"

Sirius' eyes widened at that. He looked between his friends, all waiting for his response. He shot James a look and was offended to see James honestly thought he was. "Of course I'm not fucking her. What the hell's wrong with you, Prongs? She's sixteen!"

"Well, you two were fairly close and… touchy," James claimed, defending his accusation. The tone of his voice said how much he didn't believe his best friend's denial. James turned to Remus and Peter for support.

Peter nodded emphatically. "She sort of hung all over you like one of your tramps."

Sirius took an angry step closer. He felt a deep rumble in his chest that he knew to be Padfoot. "Did you just fucking call my girlfriend a tramp?" Peter flinched back and cowered.

James jumped forward and put a hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Padfoot," he warned. All three of his friends could sense the change in him, the growing presence of Padfoot's canine aura around them.

Sirius' eyes nearly glowed with Padfoot's magic as he glared hatefully at Peter. "Take it back," he growled.

"Sorry," Peter mumbled as he shook.

Sirius stepped back, but his tension didn't leave his body. "I'm not sleeping with her," he enunciated slowly and very clearly. "I haven't slept with her or anyone else since we started seeing each other." His steely gaze pinned James harshly. James was the only one who truly knew what was going on between him and Hermione. He shouldn't have had to ask a stupid question like that.

Remus looked back and forth between the terrified Peter and the dubious looking James. "He's telling the truth," the werewolf confirmed. All three wizards turned to him.

James looked stunned. "Really?" He turned back to Sirius. "Not anyone?"

Sirius clenched his jaw, clearly offended. "No," he ground out. James cast his eyes downward, clearly ashamed of himself. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I've had enough of my friends accusing me of being a lecherous arsehole for one day, thanks."

"Sirius…"

"Padfoot!"

Sirius didn't pause. He got a few paces away and immediately disapparated home. He stormed into the apartment and slammed the door shut behind him. "Fuck!" he shouted into the mostly empty apartment. Padfoot howled within his chest before settling down again.

"Well," a voice drawled. Sirius jumped and raised his wand. Alphard raised an eyebrow from where he stood across the small flat. "A little late for that. Considering the current political climate, perhaps you should be more aware when entering a room?"

Sirius glared. "I'm not in the mood, Uncle Al."

The elder Black shrugged easily. He was fairly young, only just entering his 40's. His hair had yet to grey, remaining straight and dark like his older sister and Sirius' mother, Walburga's. "I didn't ask if you were or not." He nodded toward the couch. "Sit down, Sirius."

Sirius took a deep breath to calm himself before falling back onto the couch. He stretched his knees apart and ran his hands through his curly black hair. "Alright," he said, once he'd finally composed himself, "what can I do for you?"

"I just got back from my meeting with Regulus." Sirius nodded. Right, he'd set that for him. He'd entirely forgotten.

"Did it go well?" Sirius asked the question with the bland, pureblood drawl he'd been raised to use when speaking about something without sharing his opinion or personal investment in the situation.

Alphard raised an eyebrow and smirked as he sat next to his nephew. He could see right through Sirius. "It went perfectly. Your brother will be staying with me after graduation. You're, of course, welcome to come and see him at any time."

Sirius sighed. "Thank you."

Alphard nodded. "He's my nephew. There was no question about if I was going to help him or not." Sirius nodded and sighed in relief. "I saw something interesting while in Hogsmeade." Sirius cocked an eyebrow at his uncle. "You and your friends in the pub." Sirius tried very hard not to tense. "There was a pretty little witch sitting in your lap - although that wasn't too surprising." Alphard eyed his nephew with the same grey eyes all Blacks had. "The surprising part was when you dropped her back off at the school. She's a student?"

Sirius' face remained entirely emotionless. He didn't even fidget. "Did you follow me?"

Alphard rolled his eyes. "Don't be so dramatic, Sirius. I was dropping off your brother. It was hard not to miss you practically shoving your tongue down her throat as you said goodbye."

Sirius' jaw clenched.

Alphard sighed. "So, she is a student." He raised an eyebrow when Sirius didn't contradict him. "She is of age, isn't she?" Alphard's tone made it sound like he thought it was obvious that she must be, but when Sirius didn't reply, the elder wizard's eyes grew large. "Sirius Orion Black!"

Sirius winced.

"She's underage? And you're pursuing her?" Alphard jumped to his feet and began pacing in front of the fireplace. "Do you know what this means? Do you have any idea what sort of bonds you've tied to this witch?"

"Yes," Sirius ground out between his teeth.

"Oh? Do you? Do you even know her? This can't be just some other witch you kick to the curb once you've gotten your fill." He glared at his nephew. "The wizarding world will be up in airs if they find out you were seriously courting an underage witch and left her to rot. Your reputation amongst proper pureblood society - the good and bad ends of it! - will be ruined."

Sirius leaned forward, his rage from earlier coming forward once more. Padfoot was up and pacing once more. There was a deep growling in Sirius' chest and he desperately wished to simply turn into his animagus form and let it loose on those that were threatening his - whatever he had with Hermione. "It's not like that!"

"Oh? So, it's official, is it? She's your intended?" Alphard stopped pacing to level his glare on Sirius.

The younger wizard bristled at his uncle's question. "No. I can't be engaged to an underage witch, that would be frowned upon and you know it." Alphard did know it, but he relaxed somewhat to hear his nephew say so. "She's my girlfriend." Something about that statement seemed to settle Padfoot, which worried Sirius deeply.

Alphard didn't react. He stared at Sirius for a long moment, his eyes flickering as he thought that statement over. With anyone else, it might have meant very little, but that was the height of commitment for a player like Sirius. He'd never had a girlfriend before and Alphard was well aware of that fact. "How long?"

"Almost a month now - officially."

Alphard straightened. He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I want to meet her."

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "I beg your pardon?"

"I want to meet her. The four of us will have lunch, your brother and I plus you and your girlfriend…?"

"Hermione," Sirius supplied in confusion.

"Hermione," Alphard said the name slowly, testing it out. He nodded once. "We'll have lunch and I'll get to know this witch that has you so enamoured."

Sirius jumped to his feet. "We can't."

"Of course you can."

"She has NEWTs. She has to study."

"Well, apparently she needn't study that hard if she is able to dedicate an entire afternoon to sitting on your lap and snogging you in front of everyone." Alphard's acerbic tone was biting at best.

Sirius groaned. "It's only been a month, Uncle Al. Maybe wait a bit longer before the family introductions."

Alphard raised an eyebrow and nodded. A month was fairly soon. "I would agree if it were Regulus. But with you, a month is practically a year. It means something, Sirius. This witch means something to you, especially if you're willing to risk your entire reputation on her. You might not care what most purebloods think, but you care about the Potters and the rest of them. They would never forgive you if you just walked away from this girl and I know you know it. Set it up. Owl me the date and time."

Without another word, Alphard left the flat.

Sirius stood in his silent apartment for a full minute. He kicked the coffee table over as he yelled out, "Fuck!"

Welp, things are definitely getting more serious than Padfoot would like... In other news, this is my favourite Marauders meets Harry Potter Gen. scenes I've done. Probably more so than my scenes in Shadow World. Although that story is it's own level of wonderful so I guess it's apples and bananas.

ANYWAYS, thanks for reading xx