Chapter 5: Complicated
Ron looked like a balloon that was about to explode. His oval, orange topped head was swelling and had turned a very light shade of reddish orange. He eyes bugged, his cheeks bulged and his chest heaved. He looked like an angry bullfrog.
Hermione, a worried expression on her face, took a step towards him.
Ron stared at her, hard. Then taking a deep breath, he let out the air in a low, angry sigh.
"I should have guessed."
"Ron, its not like that!" Hermione cried, taking his hand.
Ron carefully pried Hermione's fingers off his, and took a small step away from her trembling body, leaning in closer to Sirius.
He opened his mouth and began to speak in a very soft, low, monotone. "Some friend you are, huh. And to think I actually felt guilty. I guess you're so used to having everything, you can't stand it when someone else, even your best friend, gets the love and attention."
Ron paused, calming himself. Then said in a slightly harsher tone, "You're pathetic."
Ron turned to look at Hermione, his eyes flashing with bottled up anger. "I can't believe you would betray me like this."
He turned to walk away from them, then stopped for a moment, and in that same soft, low, voice, he said, 'Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. Mum wants you two to go to the dining room and eat dinner with everyone. Do me a favor and tell her I'm feeling sick." With that, Ron walked over to the stairs and climbed up, disappearing out of sight.
Hermione and Sirius were still standing in their previous positions, frozen with shock and horror.
Hermione took in a few frantic gulps of air, "oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." She gasped, "What am I going to do? Why am I such an idiot?" She slapped her head, beginning to cry.
Sirius patted her head awkwardly, "Don't cry. I'm sorry, it was my fault. I'm a middle aged man, I should know better than to engage in such activities with a minor. I'm sorry about that. Look, why don't you go talk to Ron about everything and make things right? I'll go and eat with everyone and tell Mrs. Weasley some lie about you two. I should better hurry up or she will start to get worried about us."
Hermione sniffled miserably and nodded her head gently. He gave her a light push towards the staircase. She stumbled over and began to climb up awkwardly.
Sirius let out a sigh and muttered to himself, "Oh dear." He hadn't expected to cause so much trouble so soon. And now that he thought about it, he didn't feel all that hungry either. In fact, he felt kind of queasy. Perhaps it was the affect of Ginny stripping him, Hermione kissing him and Ron hating him all squeezed into the time frame of one complicated hour. Sirius sighed again, trying to think of a way to get out of eating dinner.
I suppose I'll let Mrs. Weasley know I'm feeling a bit sick and that I'll be off to bed. He thought, feeling a bit guilty about not eating Mrs. Weasley's specially prepared food. Maybe she'll save me some leftovers and I'll eat it for breakfast tomorrow.
Sirius walked into Grimmauld Palace's elaborate dining room. Everyone who was previously eating happily froze and turned to stare at him nervously.
"Hey guys," Sirius smiled awkwardly.
Seeing that Harry wasn't on the verge of another mental breakdown, the group smiled, relaxed and all began to speak to him at once.
"THANKS A LOT, HARRY!" Hagrid bellowed, "YOU REALLY SCARED US."
"Oh leave the poor boy alone, Hagrid!" Mrs. Weasley replied in annoyance, "Where's Ron and Hermione, Harry?"
Kingsley, with his mouth full, waved for Harry to come over to him with his fork.
"Err," Sirius interrupted, "Ron and Hermione wanted some private time together, and I'm just feeling a bit sick so I think I'm going to go lie down. You guys eat. I'll talk to you later."
"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley fluttered over, her hands waving nervously, "Shall I make you some medicine? You do look a bit pale…"
"Oh leave him alone." Fred said quietly, frowning up at Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh. Oh okay. Okay then…" Mrs. Weasley flushed and sat back down miserably, "Well, you go up and take that nap, Harry. We'll talk to you later, dear."
Sirius nodded, barely processing any of the conversations that had just occurred. He realized that he was extremely tired and couldn't wait to get to his room.
"Bye," Sirius mumbled quietly and staggered up the staircase into his room. He shut the door behind him and threw himself onto his bed, snuggling up against the blankets. He breathed in their familiar scent, and forgot everything that had happened. For the first time in what seemed like eternity, Sirius felt warm, happy and at home. Clutching a large, fluffy cushion, with a content expression pasted on his face, Sirius fell asleep.