The woman finally stirred some time when the sun had yet to push through the clouds. It was before six and Hermione cringed at being in her clothes from yesterday. Stretching her limbs, she went to the restroom and found the two older men had shacked out for the night on the sofa and armchair. She stared in mild puzzlement at the sleeping men.

What were they still doing here? Why would they stay over? Hermione was pondering that as she quietly snuck around for her keys. Hermione preferred just to go home and pretend it's just a typical day. Send off her reports, get tea, not think about it…

"Sirius pocketed them," Remus's voice entered the space.

Hermione jumped and gasped in surprise as she whipped around to see him. "Remus, you gave me a fright!" She hissed holding her chest.

He sat up and rubbed his face. "Come sit; I'll get us some tea," he whispered.

"Remus, I need to get home," Hermione murmured, shifting on her feet.

His expression grew stern as he rose from the sofa. "Sit, please. I'll be making breakfast shortly, and then you can go to your flat. Not before it, understood?" His tone was severe as he narrowed his vision at her.

She knew she wouldn't win this argument and followed his directions; flopping on the couch with a sigh. "Happy now?"

Hermione's pout was something very similar to the exaggerated ones Sirius loved to use. It made Remus chuckle and pat her shoulder. "Substantially, yes."

"My bloody back is stiff," Sirius groaned as he jostled on the armchair.

Remus made an amusing expression at Hermione before padding off to the kitchen. Hermione watched the dark-haired man sit up straight and huff.

"Come here, Sirius, let me fix that," Hermione ordered and the man rose an eyebrow at her.

Sirius lugged himself over to the couch and winced as he flexed his shoulders. Hermione, not much of a physical person, also knew that she was indebted to the man. He had saved her and made sure she was alright. All the bull that he could sometimes spew, all the inappropriate behavior, it didn't matter. Hermione rubbed his shoulders, and he groaned appreciatively.

"Oh, love, you're going to make me melt," He huffed as she rubbed out the tense muscles.

"Thank you for saving me yesterday, Sirius," She murmured, and he glanced back at her.

"Without a doubt, you deserve to be taken care of, darlin'," Sirius sighed as he enjoyed her fingers on his back.

Hermione continued to work his shoulders and upper back for some time until Remus came back into the room with a tea tray. He laughed to himself as he sat down in the armchair Sirius left empty. "Thirsty?" Remus questioned as he set down the plate on the table.

Hermione made a sound of agreement as her hands fell away from him. "I'm sorry you both had to be exposed to that mess."

Remus was dressing a teacup and handed it to her as Sirius rested against Hermione's side, throwing his legs over the arm of the couch. Hermione smiled over at Remus and sipped her cup as Sirius rubbed her thigh. "You're fine, love. That's always been our job to take care of others. Welcome to our cute little family, Hermione. If you're Toby's mum, then you and I will just have to get married and find a good pussycat for him." He joked, and Hermione groaned.

"I'm not going to marry you, Sirius," Her voice was sharp as she nudged him.

"Then marry Remus, and I'll suffer joint custody," Sirius moaned loudly.

Remus covered his smile by his own cup. "Of her or the cat?"

Sirius frowned at his friend. "Of her, you tosser. What the bloody hell do I want a cat in my bed for?"

Hermione jerked away from him and glanced toward the empty fireplace. "Sirius, no."

Remus exhaled and nodded. "We understand, despite our cruel joke."

"I know, Remus. I swear I am not helpless or weak. What happened years ago, it, well, it wasn't the way Harry made it sound," Hermione sighed, hiding her face among her curls.

"I'm sure he doesn't even know how bad it was, Hermione. You don't need to try and protect us. We have spent too much time not helping those we care about and believing our purpose was spent." Remus spoke with sadness in his face.

"Remus, I don't need it," she mumbled.

"Don't be like that, sweetheart," Sirius grumbled and maneuvered to put his chin on her shoulder. "We are here now. Things like all those years ago and yesterday are in the past officially. You're this strong woman who sometimes needs a strong hand to exhibit your will. Use us; we don't mind in the least."

Hermione pressed her head to Sirius's, and a breath slid from her mouth in a slow measure. "Alright, fine, but only if you don't suggest getting into my knickers, Sirius."

Sirius nudged her face with his nose and kissed her cheek gently. "I promise, no more. The offer is always there, but I will concede. It just means you will have to ask me," He said and finished with a smirk.

Hermione choked on a laugh and shoved him. "You're ridiculous."

Remus exhaled and stood up. "I'm going to start breakfast." He left with his cup in hand into the kitchen.

The woman scowled, and her lips thinned. "Is he alright?" Hermione whispered.

Sirius bobbed her head and sat up so he could pour himself some tea. "You know this is harder on him than me. You know what happened when we lost Lily and James?"

"No, what's wrong?"

Sirius pursed his lips and slumped against the couch. "We had to go to the states for him. The accident happened while we were out there. We wouldn't have found out if it wasn't for us being on James's emergency contact for his medical files."

Hermione twitched, and her eyes traced the anguished marauder. "You weren't here? He blames himself, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he does. Which is why he was so upset at what happened yesterday. He didn't like you going off by yourself; he had a gut feeling. I tend to listen to him when he has those. Remus has this sixth sense or something. Like he can smell danger or something. He didn't want to leave for New York either."

Hermione sighed and nodded. "I will keep that in mind for next time. He texted me twice asking me how I was doing. I should pay more attention," she mumbled.

Sirius relaxed back on the couch, and he smiled. "There has never been anyone in my life that is more concerned with those he loves than himself. I can't even get the bloke to go on a date."

Hermione frowned as she tilted her head. "I'm confused. Remus isn't seeing some lovely older woman?"

Sirius was barking with laughter and nearly spilled his teacup. "Older woman, love? I can hardly get the man out let alone talk to women. Years ago, he would surprise me with a pair of girls to share while he was going to school, but not for a long time now."

Hermione glared and pointed an index finger at him. "Don't talk about that. I don't want to know. In fact, anything related to you and Remus's," she paused and grimaced, "Excursions you can leave out."

"They were pretty fun," Sirius spoke quietly with a tiny hint of a smirk. "So, you don't date or go out either? It's a shame; a lovely woman like you could have any man kneeling in rapture before too long."

Hermione's cheeks bloomed with color as she turned her vision entirely away from him to hide her embarrassment. "You shouldn't say those things, Sirius. I won't tolerate you making a pass at me."

"I'm not," he snapped, causing her to glance back at him scowling. "I'm honest. You need to relax. If I was sincerely hitting on you, trust me, you will know."

The curly-haired woman slumped back into the couch and bobbed her head. "I'm sorry. Thank you for the compliment. I'm just so used to being defensive; it can get quite exhausting to be around."

Sirius set down his tea and yanked her over to him. "Bah, when you have as much time as I do with a dysfunctional introvert, you learn to run the gamut," He told her and kissed her hair.

Hermione giggled and nudged him. "You really are a big softy."

Sirius chuckled and patted her shoulder. "Why don't you go see how breakfast is coming along. I'll get washed up, and we'll decide how to play hooky today. I need to convince Moony."

The girl snorted and pushed against him as she got up. "Alright, let me go see what Remus is up to."

She wandered into the kitchen and admired the broad shoulders that were just under the t-shirt Remus was wearing. He had shed his jumper and was humming to himself as he cooked. Something relaxing and gentle radiated off the man. Hermione leaned on the door frame and watched him a moment. The lovely olive colored shirt, the handsome way his hair shifted as he cooked. Remus was by far one of her favorite people to observe; quite possibly because he was always watching others himself.

"So, do you want cheese on your eggs?" Remus murmured without turning to her.

Hermione shuddered and coughed. "Oh, cheese please."

Remus glanced over at her and was smirking. "Excellent," he said.

"How did you know I was here?"

He jiggled the contents of the pan onto several plates. "Your perfume. It's a hint of lavender. Not hard to miss if you enjoy the scent."

Hermione smelt her clothing and frowned cynically at his back. "Remus, it's not that strong."

He laughed, shaking his head. "I have a very sensitive nose."

The woman approached the counter and helped pull the ham from the pan onto the multiple plates. He looked down at her, and his lips curled. It was a moment that both of them didn't need to speak through; the quiet company was always valued by each of them. Remus finished dressing the plates with toast and ran his free hand over her shoulder as he maneuvered to the fridge.

"Remus, do you think you want to help me move my things? Harry said he would, but it would go faster if you and Sirius help."

The sandy-haired man made a sound of approval. "Yes, today? That sounds like an excellent plan instead of working, don't you agree?"

"I thought you like to work? We shouldn't miss it," Hermione grumbled with a frown.

"If I end up going in you will as well; I'm far from dim, Hermione."

She frowned up at him as he stood next to her. "Remus, I'm fine."

His fingers touched her jawline as he pivoted toward her. "Hermione, please don't keep saying that. You sound too much like me," Remus whispered and bobbed his head. "It's alright not to be fine."

Her eyes welled up as she identified the look on his own. "I'm sorry. I just want to pack it away as I did before. Can't you allow it?"

"Not today, love," He whispered, caressing her cheek. "Today we're going to help you. Give me the chance to be a good human being? I've had a few times in my life where I could be a stronger person for someone else, do you mind letting me?"

She exhaled and motioned agreement. "Okay."

Ginny walked into the room and saw the two of them in the position they were in; Remus close to the odd woman and touching her. Hermione's lips parted softly in a gesture of confusion and perchance even... surrender? It was a strange circumstance, and it passed swiftly as Hermione jerked away from him and faced Ginny.

"Breakfast is ready," the startled woman murmured and took the plates in her hand.

The redhead watched her leave for the dining room, and her eyes skated the scarred man in front of her. "Remus, do be careful," Ginny warned with a risen brow. "She isn't easily swayed. Sirius told me stories of your years together... she isn't a college tart," She finished with a glare.

Remus's blushed was bright as he swayed his head. "No, Ginny, I hope you know I would never. I won't cross that line."

"Yes, I know, but I need to know I've said it, Remus. She will never heal if she thinks everyone around her is either going to leave her or shag her. Understood?"

He bobbed his head and hemmed. "Of course, Ginevra. I promise you. Sirius and I will keep that firm line between her and us, alright?"

"Good, now, let's see how we are going to help her get through today. It's going to be tougher than she wants other's to know."

Remus just nodded and sighed lightly. "I know." His heart was a bit heavy at the start of this long day.


She was in her bedroom packing up clothes in boxes. It hurt to see that she was going to have to pack up her life so soon. She had been here for a year in hopes that her life would change for the better. Hermione had spent so much time in the belief that it would just turn. The flat she had before was with Lavender would have been just fine if Ron didn't start to date the outrageous blond woman.

He moved in, and she walked out. It was quickly the most sound decision. She didn't want to participate in their relationship ups and downs. The difficulty as it was accepting that he moved on while she never did was hard. Hermione could never be the woman he wanted, and it was an insult to injury that he started dating the gossip columnist that became her flatmate after leaving the uni dorms.

Now she was disheveled again. So soon after another reminder of her broken past. Hermione exhaled as she patted the full box and climbed off the floor. More things to store until she found her place; a spot to call her own. It was difficult to admit that she missed belonging somewhere. Crookshanks came in and meowed at her loudly.

"Hey, baby, what are you up to?"

He weaved through her legs and purred. "Seems he knows when you need a pick me up," Remus announced as he came into her bedroom.

The pleasant man was holding a mug, and the smell of chocolate entered her space. "Are you trying to sweeten me up?" She asked with a playful smile.

"Perhaps," He replied with a curve to his lips. "Do you feel like you could use some help?"

"Thank you, Remus," Hermione took the cup he offered and sipped it before glancing up at him. "I don't know where I'm going to store it all. I suppose I'll have to rent storage," she murmured with a tilt to her head.

"Well, we can put it in our garage until you find a place," Remus suggested.

She snorted and sipped her hot chocolate again. "No, I don't want to inconvenience you any more than I have."

"You haven't."

Hermione smirked and shifted on her feet. "Do you want to join me in going through my bookshelves?"

He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Only if you agree to let me borrow volumes that I may not have had the chance to read."

"Hey, you two, come on!" Sirius shouted as he bounced into the room. "Let's finish up today and go out to eat. I'm craving sushi."

"You're buying," Hermione said flatly.

Sirius shifted his posture as he folded his arms over his chest. "Well, no shite, sweetheart. If we're eating at the place I like, there's no way I'm not paying. I might finally get lucky with Moony. He has yet to give it up over the years, but charity does make him feel a bit frisky."

"I'm not a charity case," Hermione growled with a scowl.

Remus rubbed her shoulder and sighed. "Don't let him goat you. Let's finish up so we can enjoy the evening," he encouraged, and Sirius waggled his eyebrows.

"It won't be long now. Moony will be licking the sweat off me in no time."

"My god, Sirius, you're absolutely disgusting," Hermione huffed, but couldn't hide the smile behind her cup.

Remus rolled his shoulders while shaking his head. "What he doesn't know is I've never found his hairy torso attractive in the least."

Hermione burst into laughter and nudged him. "That won't stop him."

Sirius bent down to the ignored cat and scratched him. "See Toby; we'll get what we want. We always do, don't we?" The cat meowed in agreement and left the room.

"Seems he's hungry. Let me feed him, and we will get something to eat ourselves." Hermione declared as she marched from the room.

Sirius smirked and clapped his hands together. "Well, date night sounds fun, doesn't it?"

"You know we can't do anything with her, Padfoot. Don't try," Remus warned with a tight expression.

"I won't. Marauder's vow," Sirius snickered marking an 'x' over his chest.

Remus sighed and shoved him lightly. "I mean it, Pads."

Sirius batted his eyes and nodded. "So am I, Moony."

"Fine," Remus grumbled and left the room.