Hi! I'm back, quick? I think so, same day update, that's pretty good for me. But I can't take all the credit, I've had this part of the fic done for a month now and only now found some time to post… But you guys are quicker, I've just posted the prologue 10 minutes ago and I already have an AWESOME REVIEW! From: Hexed. Thank you thank you thank you! You rock:Hearts:

The first suggestion for a name is: Tension

Vote for this name or create your own name for this fic in a review . Don't forget to REVIEW and tell me what you think, even if you are impossible with names like me.

Thank-you to: My ever-supportive Beta, Evergreen-Baby, and my reviewer Hexed.

DISCLAIMER: don't own a thing, wish I did, but I don't.

Without further adu:

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Hermione having been rudely awakened by the bloody doorbell yawned widely. The clock beside her bed read 3:28 AM. Her bushy hair afroed around her head as she pulled on a robe grudgingly and attempted to tame her hair slightly before making her way down the stairs. House sitting was a bitch.

Taking out her wand she smiled as she heard Moody's voice in her head; Constant vigilance. She heard the door handle jiggle and her heart rate went up tenfold. Then she heard a bang, like someone had thrown themselves at the door and a crash, as they fell over apparently not succeeding.

Hermione stifled a giggle as she thought about Remus coming in drunk and love-sick. Not that it had happened but that was the most likely. Especially with Tonks and him being engaged. She heard a groan from outside and remembered that she was opening the door. She took the last few steps more confidently now.

She then swung open the door, wand still in hand and looked around. No one was there. She took a step forward suspiciously and hit another foot. She looked down and almost screamed. There, slightly unconscious was someone she was quite sure had died, almost 8 years ago.

She paled and bent down beside his body, noting his chest moving up and down, which she took for a good sign. He looked exactly the same as he had erm… she struggled with the phrase, left them. He was even wearing the same thing. His eyelids fluttered and he let out another moan. Hermione bit her lip wondering if it would be alright to move him.

Finally she decided that it would be better if she took him out of the cold night. It was starting to rain and she didn't want to put his body through anymore distress. She hesitated when it came to touching him, wondering if this was really happening. What was Harry going to think?

Finally she opted for levitating him upstairs. When she got him to the top she chose his old room, which currently housed Harry and placed him gently onto the bed. Thoughts and questions filled her brain little buzzing hornets, she wanted to shout at the man WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? But restrained herself as she felt his head. He was feverish.

She conjoured a bowl and cloth, then some cool water and placed the compress on his head. He groaned again but said nothing. He needed a doctor, she was no doctor, but everyone thought he was dead. She shook her head and sat on the bed beside him, his legs were bruised. Timidly she placed her hand on his shoulder and moved it back and fourth in attempt release the tension in his ridged body.

Gradually she felt him relax as he slipped off to sleep. Hermione sighed and decided to stay in the room and watch over him. She was anxious to find out what happened and slightly worried about his health. She summoned up a chair and waited, keeping watch on his still form. She changed the compress now and then and sat back, listening to the thudding sound of rain hitting the roof.

At that point she felt so alone. Taking up a quill and some parchment she began to write. She wrote to Remus first, he was the closest and knew more about Sirius's past and medical instances. Then she scribbled something for Harry, he was out of the country on auror business and wasn't expected back for another six months. She then decided that not too many people should know about this for now and put her quill down. She then summoned her owl Socrates and gave him the letters.

When she was finished she leaned back on her chair and just watched Sirius. He hadn't aged a bit. His black hair was long and silky made his slightly pale but well proportioned face stand out. His pronounced jaw line a signature to his 'Black' bloodline. The stubble on his face slightly more prominent than when she had last saw him. His strong but slender arms collapsed at his sides and his thin but strongly defined figure stood out through his robes.

Hermione bit her lip, she hoped Remus would get here soon, she wasn't sure what else to do with him. Talking up a book she had summoned to his bead side she began to read.

GOODMORNINGSUNSHINEGOODMORNINGSUNSHINEGOODMORNINGSUN

Sirius awoke slowly; he could feel the pale morning sun warming his face. He groaned and slowly turned around not bothering to open his eyes. The feeling of the soft bed comforted him. The he realized he didn't have any memory of getting to a bed, and promptly opened his eyes.

As the blur subsided he realized he was not alone. There, sitting in a squashy chair book resting precariously on her stomach and head back with mouth lolling open was a woman. He blinked a few times, taking a while for the thought process to continue.

The woman sighed slightly and opened her eyes. She blinked twice and yawned, before she noticed she wasn't the only one awake in the room. Forgetting her book she jumped out of the chair with a slight scream and then groaned, sleeping in a chair all night had done a number on her neck. "S-Sirius?" She asked not believing what she was seeing after so many years.

Sirius recognized that voice anywhere, Hermione. Grown up Hermione but Hermione, all the same. She was taller, her hair was darker and more curly, she was, better proportioned, more slender and filled out, her eyes were almond shaped and a burnt sugar colour. She was no longer the young woman he had come to know as his godson's good friend but a beautiful woman.

"Hi." He said attempting to sit up, his voice was rough from un use and he barely recognized it as his own. He stared back at the girl who looked utterly stunned. "Sirius, it's Hermione, Hermione Granger." She said slowly as she tried to get her emotions in check.

Sirius grinned at her reaction, "You're the only Hermione I've ever known, you know." He said. Hermione blushed, she couldn't help but run over to him and give him a hug, he was back. Sirius was slightly taken aback but ended up hugging back. Her soft hair swept over his fingers and tickled as the bookish woman sighed.

She pulled back slowly and glanced into his blue gray eyes. The questions that had been buzzing around her head the last night came buzzing back and she gave him a frown, biting back a question and instead she said "Harry will be pleased your back."

Sirius frowned and glanced around, "So you two are, um" He stopped talking when he spotted the look she was giving him. "I'm house sitting for a few months, we aren't, together." She explained frowning. Sirius nodded.

Sirius cleared his throat, "So erm, where is he?" Sirius asked shaking his head again. Hermione frowned, "I-I'm not really sure, some kind of aruor mission or something, I sent him a post last night." Hermione said frowning slightly.

Sirius looked surprised, he ran a hand through his hair slowly, "An aruor! How long have I been gone?" He asked looking slightly alarmed, "8 years next week." Hermione said softly, not knowing how he was going to take the news.

He looked like he was going to jump out of bed, but he restrained himself and settled for paling considerably. He took a large gulp and shook his head. "I was in that bloody dark for 8 years?" He asked no one in particular, hearing it out loud made it sound even more un likely.

Hermione didn't know what to say, the man sitting in front of him looked at a loss for words, "Do you want some coffee? Maybe some breakfast? We can talk more downstairs. I'm sure you'll be pleased at what we've done to the house." Hermione said giving Sirius a re-assuring smile. Sirius thought for a second and nodded, his stomach growled, if it had really been 8 years since he had eaten anything food might be a good thing.

"That sounds wonderful." He said finally. "Can you walk, do you reckon?" Hermione asked. Sirius frowned, "I'm not quite sure, but I guess we'll see won't we." He said giving her a grin and slowly swinging his legs off the edge of the bed. "You had quite a fever last night." Hermione said standing, to make sure he had something to lean on if he suddenly felt he was going to fall.

Sirius glanced over at the bowl of water sitting on the bedside table. "Thanks, Hermione, for staying up." He said quietly, before getting up in one swift motion. He stood for a moment, teetering as he tried to find his center of gravity. The world swam for a moment, but he blinked the blur away and leaned on the bedside table for support.

Hermione watched and waited until he was steady before offering her arm for him. He hesitated for a second before taking it and slowly they both made their way out of the room. When they made it to the stairs Sirius stopped. Hermione looked up at him and examined his face. He was ghost pale, "Are you going to be alright with the stairs?" She asked listening intently to his harsh breathing.

Sirius turned and looked into her eyes, "Fine love, just realized I haven't had a good snogg in 8 years." He said giving her a weary smile. Hermione chuckled and tightened her grip around his firm torso. Sirius laughed, " Ladies first," He said motioning towards the stairs. Hermione gave him a questioning glance, "I'll be alright, slow mind you, but alright." He said motioning for her to go first.

"Besides, now I can see what you've done with this ruddy old house." Sirius added. Hermione smiled, "Alright, call if you need me, I'll make us some food. Preferences?" She asked finally. "As long as it's food I'll eat it." Sirius said shrugging.

Hermione gave him one more nod, before walking down the stairs and disappearing behind a wall. Sirius grimaced, oh how he loathed having to need help getting around a house.

Slowly, he made his way down the staircase, it was a painful rate for one who was used to be in perfect physical health. Tightly grasping the railing he slowly inched his way down the stairs. He noticed the house elf heads had disappeared replaced with pictures varying from Dumbledore in overalls, Harry, Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts graduation and even pictures of the maruraders themselves grinned and waved at him as he descended the long stair well. He had to stop at the one of Harry on a broomstick wearing a Chudley Cannons jersey in one of his signature dives. He looked so much like James it was impeccable, Sirius thought grinning.

When he got the bottom he got the surprise of a lifetime, that utterly horrid painting of his mother was still there but, the curtain was down and she had been graffitied upon. The part Sirius liked the most however was the fact that she had had her mouth burnt off. When she saw him her eyes went wide and he only grinned. She glared and he grinned, her not being able to flap her mouth at him pleased him more than being out from behind that curtain. He even had the piece of mind as he wobbled past her to flash her the finger before entering the living room.

It had changed completely, instead of the dark colours accented with green and silver; the room was painted a pale yellow, light streamed into the room though the front window potted plants were placed everywhere, the wooden floor was re-done and was stained a mahogany colour. A muggle stereo donned the corner and two great big squashy couches filled the room.

Sirius couldn't help but smile. Finally, this seemed like a place he could live in. Then he reminded himself that this was Harry's house now. Sirius smiled at the Chudley Cannons poster hanging above one on the couches, Harry was standing in the middle of a bunch of players, the snitch hovering just above his forehead. A goofy grin plastered on his face.

He heard Hermione close a cupboard in the kitchen. "You alright Sirius?" She asked leaning out of the kitchen and giving him a questioning glance. Sirius nodded, "I like what you've done with the place," he said motioning around the room with a smile. "I especially like what you've done with mother." He added giving her a wink. Hermione smiled, "Molly, Ginny and I did most of the decorating, but that was mainly Harry's idea, he decided to keep that around as a tribute to you." She said giving a wistful look towards the front door.

" Just wish I had thought of that," Sirius said following her gaze. "Weasley Wizzarding Wheazes" Hermione said smiling. Sirius was intrigued, "They are doing well then?" He asked. Hermione nodded, "Everyone is." She said with a hint of sadness in her voice, she then ducked back into the kitchen.

Sirius was slightly confused and was going to ask what that was all about, when he was cut off by a large pop just behind him. "Hermione!" A familiar voice cried. "I got your post but Tonks wouldn't let me out of the bloody house until we decided on the flowers for the centerpieces…" Remus concluded sounding exasperated.

Sirius turned around and looked at his best friend. Remus was dressed in dark blue robes, he was facing the other way glancing around the room. "She's in the kitchen Rem." Sirius said crossing his arms. Remus wheeled around, his eyes wide. "Who are you?" He asked his eyes landing on Sirius. "Who do you think Moony? I'll give a hint, he's standing right in front of you." Sirius said rolling his eyes

Remus paled. "You've got to be kidding, he's been dead 8 years." Remus said running a hand through his hair. "Pretty good glamour though Hermione, if I'd have known you were so bored we could have came and stayed with you for a while." Remus commented. "We?" Sirius asked looking confused.

Remus sighed, "Fine if you really are Sirius…" He started, but was cut off by Hermione poking her head out of the kitchen. "How do you like your eggs?" She asked Sirius spatula in hand. She seemed to have been waiting for the opportune moment to pop out of the kitchen.

"Scrambled, don't cook them to long. I can't stand rubbery eggs." Sirius said pointedly to Remus more than Hermione. Remus froze. "Did you want some eggs as well Remus?" Hermione asked cocking an eyebrow. Remus just shook his head; Hermione took that as a no and went back to the kitchen.

"Padfoot?" Remus asked still uncertain. "It's me mate." Sirius said with a laugh. Remus took a few steps and they ended up hugging. "I thought you were dead." Remus said stunned. "For a while there I thought I was dead too." Sirius commented stepping back.

It was quiet for a second, as they both looked each other over, "You haven't aged a day!" Remus exclaimed. "Really?" Sirius said putting a hand to his face. Remus nodded sending Sirius a grin. "You didn't know?" Remus questioned. "I just got back, I haven't even showered yet." Sirius said grinning, "That explains the smell." Remus commented looking around.

"Who's we?" Sirius asked going back to his original question. "I'm engaged." Remus said looking sheepish. Sirius cocked an eyebrow. "To whom?" He asked finally, "Your cousin." Remus said rocking back and fourth on his heels. Sirius looked horrified. "The nice one?" Remus offered with a frown. "Neffi! Hell Remus I'm proud, she's way out of your league." Sirius exclaimed with a smirk. "Who are you to tell me what league I'm in?" Remus asked.

Sirius shrugged, "Who are you to deny me the pleasure of putting you in a league?" He asked cocking an eyebrow. Both men burst out in laughter, it was an old, very old, joke between the two. There was another loud pop and Tonks appeared in front of them both. "Guessing this is a joyous occasion then?" She asked placing her hands on her hips.

Both Remus and Sirius stared. "Hey cuz, thought you were dead." She said turning towards Sirius, who laughed even harder. "You knocked up my cousin!" He exclaimed motioning towards Tonk's pregnant belly. "How do you know it was him?" Tonks asked mysteriously. Remus smiled, "Have you been cheating on me again woman?" He asked sarcastically. Tonks only smiled. "You know, a woman only cheats when she's not getting what she needs at home." Sirius said with a shrug he gave Remus a look of innocence. Remus glared daggers, Tonks walked over to him and rubbed his back, "Oh, baby, I'm getting more than what I need…" She whispered, Remus crossed his arms and smirked at Sirius.

Sirius frowned and turned the other way, "Sure, ignore the guy that just came back to life after 8 years." He said pouting, he then shot Remus a look of pure contempt. "8 bloody years indeed." He said with a hint of bitterness.

Hermione stuck her head out of the kitchen again, "Hello Tonks, would you like some breakfast?" She asked smiling. Tonks nodded and walked into the kitchen, Remus and Sirius followed. "Good morning Hermione." Remus greeted as they came into the kitchen. He walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder before helping her finish off cooking.

Sirius and Tonks both sat down. It was silent for a moment as everyone got comfortable before Tonks finally spoke up. "So how'd you do it then?" She asked. Sirius smiled and told his story, when he got to the part when he apparated across the street he got a little fuzzy. "How did I get in the house?" he asked.

Hermione frowned, "Well first you knocked on the door then you rang the bell and as I was getting down the stairs you wiggled the handle and then you erm… Ran into the door and fell down. I found you on the doorstep on your back. So naturally I levitated you upstairs" Hermione said blushing. Sirius nodded, "I vaguely remember running into the door." He commented.

After receiving the blank stares he added, "What? I was desperate, I thought no one was home." Sirius tried to explain. The three just shook their heads. Sirius smiled dumbly. The four ate in silence for a moment and then Tonks got up, "Well, I'm off, I've got a report due at the ministry. Stop bloody moving around in there!" She exclaimed rolling her eyes at her stomach.

Remus grinned, "Already a trouble maker." He explained with a wry grin. Sirius laughed, it felt weird, Moony was having a child. Sirius always knew he would make a good father, but it did come as a shock. Remus then stood as well, "I'll come with you, I have to report Sirius is alive again." He said giving his friend a grin.

"And spread the word." Remus added with a wink towards Hermione. With that Tonks apparated out, giving Sirius a grin. Remus frowned, "Have you told him he's off yet?" He asked turning towards Hermione, who shook her head. "You were cleared!" They both exclaimed in unison.

Sirius was floored, "That git Crouch was canned when they found out he was with holding information and you were dubbed a hero and cleared on account of new evidence." Remus explained with a grin as he checked his watch and jumped. "I must be off, Tonks and I decided Spanish dancing for the wedding Hermione, lots of muggle stuff you know." He said waving his hand haphazardly, then he apparated out.

Hermione and Sirius were left in silence once again, Sirius finally put down his fork, anger bubbled deep inside of him and he got up roughly pushing back his chair. Hermione looked up startled by the sudden noise.

Sirius was glaring at the sink like it had just killed his dog. Hermione opened her mouth and closed it again, what had she said? Was it her? Was it Remus or Tonks? "So they cleared me after they thought I was dead? That's bloody brilliant, they didn't even give me a trial you know. They just shipped me out to that bloody island for 12 years!" Sirius was shaking with rage now. Hermione wasn't sure what to say to calm him down.

He was right and he had right to be angry, in total he had missed a total of twenty years not being able to do anything he wanted to do. Twenty years was a hell of a long time. She looked up again and Sirius was looking out the window. He was taking long deep breaths and she could see he was trying to calm down.

When he finally did look up he saw her watching him out of the corner of his eye. "I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to…" He started but stopped when she raised her hand. "Don't apologize, I understand you have a right to be angry Sirius. But what happened, happened in the past and now you get to make up that time with freedom." Hermione said frowning.

Sirius nodded and looked away, his mind elsewhere. His gray eyes sparkled with angry youth that he had hardly experienced… Well she knew he had experienced youth, Hogwarts still wore the scars of that youth, but his twenties were something he had missed most of. Hermione felt compassion for the man in front of her. But she too also knew of wasted youth. The war had been hard on her and she had had to do a lot of things that she wouldn't have dreamed of during her years at Hogwarts.

She had killed, plotted deaths and taken prisoners, she had been as ruthless as a muggle bounty hunter and the worst part was that she didn't even feel any remorse until after the war was over and she got the shock of her life. No one else really seemed to care that they killed so many people and just moved on.

Hermione shook her head slowly and picked up her fork again, although she wasn't really hungry anymore. She felt Sirius give a shuttering sigh before coming back and sitting back down across from Hermine. "Sorry," He apologized in a cracked voice. "It just all sank in back there I guess…" He said, his voice trailed off.

Hermione nodded, "I understand Sirius, you don't have to apologize. Although I do have to apologize for my behaviour." Hermione said picking up her plate as well and taking it to the sink. Sirius raised his eyebrows, "For what? You don't have to apologize for anything." Sirius said, his brow ruffling.

Hermione faced Sirius again, "Yes, yes I do and if I don't it will continue to stay on my conscious." She said shaking her head, "I was a being a prat 8 years ago, I should have never argued to you about going out of the house and what to tell Harry. I realize now that you must have felt so stuffy in this house all alone and that you had the right to tell Harry what ever you saw fit to tell him." Hermione confessed looking ashamed.

Sirius looked stunned for a moment and then laughed, long and hard with his bark of a laugh. Hermione stared at him wide eyed and then frowned, her arms slowly crossing over her chest. He looked up, saw her and abruptly stopped. An eyebrow raising above his hairline and disappearing under his mop of messy black hair.

"I was being serious." Hermione said frowning. "I'm Sirius luv, you don't need to bloody well apologize for any of that, I was being more stupid than you were. You had a good point Hermione. Besides I probably wouldn't of done anything different anyways." Sirius said with a cheeky grin. Hermione let a slight smile cross her face as she magiked the dishes to wash themselves.

"So," Sirius said shifting uncomfortably. "What did you have planned for today?" He asked. Hermione frowned, "Nothing much, I have the rest of the week off." Hermione said frowning, and then she added, "It's Wednesday today."

Sirius grinned, "The rest of the week off huh? Where do you work?" He asked. "Gringgots, I'm working on protection spells for all of the vaults." Hermione said off handedly. "Sounds dreadfully dull." Sirius commented as he walked into the living room followed closely by Hermione, who nodded, "Yes, but it pays the bills."

She added. "Well we are going to have to do something about that now aren't we?" Sirius said grinning. "Like what?" Hermione asked. Sirius looked thoughtful, "How long has it been since you visited Hogsmead?" He asked. Hermione waved her hand, "Oh not since before the war." She said shaking her head. Sirius's eyes widened.

"The war? What happened?" Sirius asked. Hermione sighed. "Oh we won, and Voldemort was defeated and the death eaters are all in Askaban." Hermione said wearily. Sirius picked up on her look and frowned. "That's erm… bad then?" He asked. Hermione hit him in the arm lightly. "Oh, of course not. It was wonderful…" She said, her voice trailing off.

"So Hogsmead it is then?" Sirius asked, still worried slightly. "Yes, I guess we could." Hermione said smiling. "Excellent!" Sirius exclaimed clapping his hands together and standing. Then he got dizzy and fell back onto the couch again. Hermione laughed, "Are you sure you're up for that? I mean, you can barely stand." She said, her eyes dancing with amusement.

Sirius laughed, "As long as I can apparate I'll be just fine, luv." he said walking towards the door. Hermione remained sitting, there was a skeptical look on her face. "You realize what happened last time you apparated." She said crossing her arms again. Sirius laughed again, "Now I know why Ron and Harry were always afraid of you." He said with a wink.

Hermione smiled. "Fine, let me grab my purse." She said getting up and running up the stairs. Sirius smirked, he was leaving the house as a free, but assumed dead man. Well, it was better than a wanted man that was likely to get the dememtor's kiss.

When Hermione came back down they both apparated to hogsmead.

Thank-you all for reading! An update will come soon, hopefully by next weekend. Don't forget to review with a name for the fic or to vote for 'Tension' also let me know what you think and if you have any questions or comments feel free, no matter how flame-ie :) cudos!

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