Hermione took a deep breath; she knew they were only talking. She stood quickly needing to move away she turned glaring at Sirius as the red in her eyes faded away once again and her eyes were grey once more. There was no way for them to talk without the subject of Severus coming up.
"I love Severus deeply, but I'm not in love with him. Nor is he with me," Hermione explained. She watched the frown cross his face, battling himself as to whether he should speak or not. "Just ask me, Sirius. I know you want to know more."
"Why him?" Sirius asked. "You had to have feelings for him?"
"For a while I did truly love Severus, but we are better as friends. Severus never once pitied me or mollycoddled me. He has kept me strong. Severus was the one that took care of me after Viktor's attack. Sirius, I was broken and shattered." Hermione sighed. "He was the one that placed the pieces of me back together and still holds them in place."
Sirius sighed, resting back into the couch. He didn't know exactly what to say to what she had just said. He couldn't be angry as much as he wanted to be. On the other hand, he did not want to just accept it. He hated Severus Snape. The hatred between the men ran deep too deep for it to be any different. On the other hand snape had to be better than any other person the Malfoy family knew.
"You can't be angry Sirius, you have no right."Hermione started. "I was left with nothing; I started a new life with the only people that wanted to be in my life."
"I know." Sirius muttered, turning to look at her. "I don't see how I didn't see pass your glamour's,"
"My father removed them after I had recovered. It was a shock to see myself like this." Hermione explained.
"Her glamours were a specialty of mine," Prunella Malfoy spoke up from her frame, drawing both Hermione and Sirius's attention. Looking at Prunella Malfoy was like looking at a mirror image of Hermione now. "It killed Abraxas and I to do it, but we knew he would return one day. She had to be protected," Prunella said nothing more, leaving her frame.
"Like she said, it was her specialty," Hermione said.
"Protect you from what?"
"Voldemort. He had wanted an heir. What better family then the Malfoy family." Hermione Explained watching the horror passed Sirius's face. "He didn't care that I was not even born yet. Mother and father said i had died in birth finding my mum and dad for me. They placed me with muggles in case anyone started prying into family business."
Sirius nodded reaching into his pocket. "I have something for you," he said, handing Hermione the ring box.
"Sirius, why did you buy me something?" Hermione demanded. Her love could not be bought with some trinket. Sirius knew her better than that.
"I didn't," Sirius replied. "Technically I already owned this."
Hermione looked at him puzzled before opening the box. Her eyebrows shot up seeing the ring in the box. Hermione ran her fingers over the ring, and she felt the same hum of magic her former ring had. Her ring of protection from the sun. "Where did you find one?" Hermione asked still shocked.
"This was in the Black family vaults. My family apparently had more secrets then even what I knew. Please don't think I did this to get back into your good graces, but I wanted to help you," Sirius spoke, watching Hermione pull the ring from the box and gently placing it on her right hand, ring finger. "Did it work?"
"Yes, I don't feel so drained. The sun weakens me even inside," Hermione said looking at the ring, as it magically resized to fit her finger. She noticed the Black family crests resting on its side. Her eyes cut to Sirius.
"They liked the family crest on everything," Sirius admitted with a frown.
Hermione nodded in agreement. "I remember them even on the silverware."
"Strange, if you ask me." Sirius chuckled slightly.
Hermione's nose crinkled. "Actually, the head of the house-elves on the wall tops them all."
Sirius nodded, asking more questions. "Where did you find the first ring?"
"Lucius found it for me," Hermione said her eyes meeting his. "There was an Egyptian witch. He found her in Cairo, and Lucius stepped into her shop. Before he could speak, she told him she knew what he was looking for and she had it. Lucius was willing to pay whatever price she gave to bring it home to me. She gave it to him."
"She just handed it over to him?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, she told him that," Hermione paused as her eyes glazed over for a moment before she spoke again. "She saw what happen and the pain I was in. She couldn't place a price on that."
"Hermione!" Narcissa yelled, quickly running into the room.
"Narcissa, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, seeing her flustered sister in law.
"St. Mungos. Severus was attacked."
"What?" Hermione exclaimed jumping from the couch. "I am sorry, Sirius, but I have to cut this short." Hermione left the room quickly to change her clothing.
"I guess I will take my leave then," Sirius said rather dejected. He had finally gotten to talk to her, and Snape had gotten in the way.
"Actually, Sirius, would you like to stay?" Narcissa asked politely. "We can talk."
"Of course," Sirius agreed. Sirius followed her out of the library, meeting Hermione on the stairs.
"I will be back after a while, depending how this goes," Hermione said, following them down the stairs and quickly Flooing out to St. Mungos.
The cousins went down to the dining room, and Narcissa ordered some lunch for them. "How did things go between you two?" Narcissa asked, taking a seat at the head of the table.
"Okay. We have only brushed over the beginning." Sirius shrugged. "She didn't kill me. She got rather angry over Snape."
Narcissa smirked at her cousin, even as children Sirius was never one for tact. "Let me guess. You were very blunt with your question about him?"
"Yes," Sirius muttered.
"What you must understand, Sirius, is that Hermione was in a very deep depression after what happened to her. Severus was the first person she laid eyes on when she got to the manor. He cared for her, not just physically, but emotionally also. The first year was the worst. She was a constellation of emotions, trying to learn to control the vampire inside of her as well as dealing with everything else.. The elder Marcus found her and helped her as well." Narcissa paused as the house-elves placed food on the table. "She didn't want to hurt anyone by feeding from them, and for over a month, she refused to let any of us in her room. She was sinking, and sinking quickly, into the darkness. Hermione was losing herself. She saw Severus as her light and clung to him."
Sirius nodded, not saying anything. He was taking in what she was saying.
"Severus was the first to make—" Narcissa began.
"To make my sister smile again," Lucius finished her sentence as he came into the dining room. He walked in slowly, having a tight grip on his cane. Even though he spoke politely, he still had a cold demeanor towards Sirius. Lucius took a seat beside Narcissa, his eyes never leaving Sirius.
"We held a ball here. Hermione danced with us all. She appeared happy, but she did not smile. To everyone else she was fine, but for us, we could see it was a show," Lucius explained, taking control of the conversation. "Severus noticed this as well so he asked her to dance. They spoke while they danced, and it was either something he did or said. That was the first time I had seen my sister smile since it happened. There's even a picture of it on my father's desk. They looked perfect together."
"I understand it, Malfoy. I ruined her life. I am not worthy to be in it," Sirius said coldly. "You know why I hate your family."
"You know if you truly loved her, you wouldn't be stuck in the past that she wasn't part of," Lucius spoke evenly. There was no change in his voice to hint at his emotions.
"I am not stuck in the past, I have many reason now to hate you," Sirius spat angrily, his eyes darkening.
"Yet you let your rage out on her." Lucius smirked. "Pity that."
Sirius ground down on his back teeth as his blood boiled. It finally clicked as to what Lucius was doing. He was taunting Sirius, hoping to make him lash out at Lucius. That would give Hermione that push so she would never want anything to do with him again. Sirius's eyes narrowed slightly before leaning back in his chair. "It will take more than that, Malfoy."
"Well you caught on. Bravo." Lucius shrugged. "You're smarter than I thought, Black. In all honesty, Black, I do not like you as well. Just because you have walked back into Hermione's life, I will not suddenly become your friend. I will not watch the life she has now be destroyed by you after you destroyed the previous one. In my opinion my sister belongs with Severus, not you."
"Sirius," Narcissa spoke before Sirius could speak. "What we mean is, if Hermione lets you into her life again, you have to accept the life she has now. That means us and Severus."
Lucius stood with a smirk on his face. "Just think, Black, if you hadn't have kicked her out, you wouldn't have to deal with any of us."
"No Severus. You're not fine," Hermione's voice sounded from the other room. The trio stepped into the next room and saw Severus standing in the room his robes open. His normally crisp white shirt was stained with his blood and the side of his face was bruised with traces of blood splattered across it.
"Hermione, as you can see, I left St. Mungo's. I am fine," Severus snapped as he stalked over to the fire place, and green flames engulfed him. Hermione sigh rubbing a hand over her face.
"Care to explain, sister?" Lucius asked, coming to stand beside Hermione.
"He was attacked with a slicing hex that sent him into the side of Ollivander's. He was unconscious from the hit. Aurors were called, and they sent him to St. Mungo's. The one who attacked him wasn't found."
"Why is he here and not there?" Lucius asked the obvious question at hand. Severus shouldn't be up walking around after an attack but the man was stubborn.
"The head Healer there today saw his dark mark," Hermione sneered disgusted at the thought of how Severus had been treated.
Sirius watched her standing by her brother. She looked and moved just like him now, she now held more of a confidence in herself, powerful. She was a changed woman… Certainly not the same woman he once knew. He couldn't really expect her to be the same could he?
"He refused to treat a man who served Voldemort set aside he was a spy for The Order. Unfortunately for the arrogant prick, he works in the ward our family funds. As Severus was leaving, he thought he would be cute and try asking me to dinner. His hand was accidently broken as well." Hermione looked up innocently at her brother.
Lucius cocked a brow at her words. "Why is his hand broken?"
"He should keep his hands to himself," Hermione stated.
Lucius's body froze as a fiery rage built in his eyes. "I'll be out for the rest of the afternoon." Lucius turned, walking towards the fireplace. "St. Mungo's." Green flames engulfed him and he disappeared.
Narcissa sighed. "I will be with him as well." Narcissa followed him through the flames as she was going to have to reign in his anger.
The only ones left in the manor were Sirius and Hermione.
"Is he all right?" Sirius asked, leaning up against the doorway.
"Don't pretend to care, Sirius," Hermione spoke as she turned around to face him.
"Fair enough," Sirius murmured, coming towards her. "Would you like to continue from where we left off?"
"Sure, follow me back to the library. I am always more comfortable there," Hermione spoke, making her way to the stairs. Entering the library, Hermione walked over and sat on the bench of the piano. Hermione looked up and saw Sirius was watching her intently. "What?" she asked quietly.
Sirius shrugged slightly. "Remembering the night I first heard you play."
"I remember some of that night. I also remember what you said that led to that night as well."
Flashback
Hermione set in the kitchen of Grimmauld place laughing as the twins, Harry, Remus, and Sirius were telling dirty stories. How they had come to be on this topic she didn't know, but she guessed the whiskey had something to do with it.
"I swear on the shop, complete truth," George exclaimed slamming his hand on the table, almost hitting Fred's tumbler of whiskey. "I saw Hagrid and Madam Maxine going at it in the forest. I saw things I never wanted to see." George grimaced at the thought, downing the rest of his glass pouring himself another glass.
The room groaned loudly as the mental image popped into their heads.
"Just how close were you looking, George?" Harry asked, setting his tumbler down.
"Well," George began.
"Close enough to get his jollies off." Fred laughed loudly.
The room burst out laughing. George said nothing, instead he threw his whiskey in his brother's face, which caused the room to laugh even harder.
"Now, brother, that's alcohol abuse," Fred said, licking the whiskey off his upper lip.
"Just for your information, I am getting my jollies off with Katie Bell," George grinned widely.
"Yeah, you and Marcus Flint," Hermione mumbled into her tumbler, or so she thought. Remus took a drink beside her, trying to hide a laugh.
"Oh I know. I would stop but the shag is too good to pass up." George smirked turning the room's attention to Hermione. "So who is getting the know-it-all's knickers wet?"
"No one," Hermione answered quickly. The red blush creeping along her cheeks told another story.
"Really? No one?" Fred smirked sliding an arm around her shoulder. "I think you lying Granger."
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not," Hermione smiled. "but I am not telling any of you about."
"I know who did in school," Harry announced from the other end of the table beside Sirius. Sirius for some reason had a slightly darkened look at the turn the conversation had taken. He sat silently drinking his tumbler of whiskey.
Hermione paled slightly. "Harry, that was in school, and you promised never to speak of that."
Harry had been the only person who knew of the crush she had on his godfather. She did know how he ever found out and at the time didnt care. He promised to keep her secret.
"You're right! I did promise not to tell a soul," Harry laughed. "I will just let them all guess.".
The guys all started guess names of men they knew. "What about Oliver Wood?" Remus asked his words slightly slurred.
"No, I went on one date with him but it was like being with Ron but with better manners. All he did was talk about Quidditch." Hermione frowned.
"What about Professor Snape?" Fred threw his name out with a laugh.
"I'd give him a go." Hermione laughed as she stunned the room with her response. She downed the rest of her drink.
"Merlin's saggy balls, it was him?" George exclaimed as the rest of the room gaped at her words. They missed Sirius's grip tighten on his glass as he remained silent.
Hermione started laughing. "Merlin no. I can't believe you actually think I would shag Professor Snape. That would never happen."
"Have a thing against older men?" Remus questioned playfully, pouring her another full glass. Remus glanced at Sirius who was glaring at the man.
"No, I prefer them older actually." She smiled widely at Remus.
"Granger, we're older what about giving us a go?" Fred asked, sounding smug.
"I prefer actual maturity," Hermione said snidely.
"You should," Sirius spoke up. "No man will want you." Hermione flinched like her had struck her. The room was stunned into silence. "It would have to be someone older."
Hermione set her jaw and willed herself not to cry, as she stood and glared at him. "No self respecting woman would want a disgusting man-whore like yourself. You're as cruel with your words as a death eater is with his wand."
Walking out of the kitchen, she slammed the door and went up the stairs as the tars ran down her face. Hermione remained in her room for hours, refusing to leave for any reason. The wards around her room were strong enough so that no one could get through them. By two in the morning, when Hermione was sure everyone was sleeping, she slipped out of her room and headed to the library, where the piano sat in the back corner of the room. Outside of reading all the time she really loved to play, not many knew it's something she kept to herself. Closing and locking the door behind her, Hermione cast a silencing charm around the room before lighting the fire as she sat down at the piano.
She didn't see the figure sitting in corner covered by shadows.
Hermione let her fingers softly slide over the keys of the piano, playing the most hypnotizing music as she played. One lone tear slide down her face as she finished the song, and she closed the cover to the keys as someone clapped softly.
Hermione gasped, turning around to find Sirius sitting in the shadows.
"Here to tell me I am worthless now?" Hermione sneered, turning away from him. She hated the feeling of tears welling in her eyes again. She didn't want to be this vulnerable, not in front of him. Anyone was better than him. Hermione didn't hear his soft footsteps until he sat down beside her, straddling the piano bench.
"You're not worthless," Sirius spoke quietly. "You play beautifully by the way."
Hermione said nothing.
Sirius sighed, rubbing his face. "I am sorry, Hermione."
"Why would you say that to me?" Hermione asked, her voice cracked slightly.
"I'm trying to make you hate me," Sirius sighed.
"Why?" Hermione sniffed. "That's completely stupid."
"Because it's easier for me, if you hate me."
"Easier than what?" Hermione raised her voice, looking up at him. Sirius looked to be having an internal battle at what to do. "Easier than what, Sirius?"
"Bugger it," Sirius muttered to himself before speaking to her. "Easier than this," Sirius said, putting his hand in her hair before pulling her lips to meet his.
Sirius pulled back looking in to her lust filled eyes. "I want you the way I know you want me."
No more words were spoken as she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him back to her.
A;N: I am so sorry I hate leaving this on a cliff hanger like this but well it just sort of happened anyway you all are amazing. Don't worry this isn't the end of their conversation.
So I have a question is there anything you would like to see next. I am playing with a few ideas for the story.
A: Another Hermione Snape lust filled night...
B: Something of a touching moment with one of the Malfoy men?
C: Or something more from Hermione and Sirius.
Or
D: Something of you own idea. (IF used I will credit you for it.)
Don't worry sweet people Viktor will be coming soon to make an appearance.