"Just like Lily and James."

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Hermione bustled around her flat with much ado. She had been trying to keep busy the past day, just because being idle meant allowing her mind to wander, and allowing her mind to wander meant terrifying embarrassment. Every time she remembered the locked room in the Department of Mysteries and valiantly pulling Sirius through the mysteriously opened doorway….

She gave an involuntary flush, and continued cleaning the already thrice-cleaned dishes.

"Don't be ashamed." She said aloud, allowing, as often was the case, sense to overcome her emotions. "If you hadn't opened the door and pulled Sirius through… he would probably be dead right now." He has you to thank.

Hermione, however, had failed to convince herself. The questions that had already come her way, even with the press barred from interrogating her just yet, had been embarrassing enough. How had she managed to open the door, when people had been attempting that very thing for years? Did she think it was linked with a tie between her and Sirius? Why had she brought him back from the dead?

The last question was probably the most difficult. She had no idea why she brought him back from the dead. She had been trying to answer that for herself ever since it had happened.

Lupin had given a very rushed and only slightly inadequate explanation the day before—it was possible Peter Pettigrew had sabotaged the arch to spit Sirius out when anyone was called. Something about his tone, however, gave away how little he believed this theory. Not likely, then, but possible. It was also possible, Hermione had come to her own conclusion, that her archaic demand of the arch had been leaning towards ambiguous, or had specified Sirius rather than the intended Ron.

But none of it mattered now, because the arch was destroyed.

Hermione stood, hanging her head over the sink, and allowed one tear to fall into the soapy water. It was too much these days, to just step back and say that it was all over and nothing could be done. Everything had been done before… she had been able to change anything to fit her circumstances. Why would everything backfire when she was about to make herself happy for the first time in years?

You were fine when Sirius came back. The two of you got on well.

Hermione stifled her mental voice immediately, sniffling a little and pulling the rubber gloves off her hands. "Enough." She said, laying the gloves aside. "Enough for now."

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Sirius was a little unsteady on his feet at the outset, but, with a little help from Lupin, he was able to get back into his regular clothes. Together, they set off down the hall, Lupin clutching Sirius's arm.

"Well, well… I see the puppy has finally decided to get out of his cat nap." Said a slightly familiar drawl, and Lupin and Sirius both turned their heads to face the same, sneering Draco Malfoy as ever.

Yet he was somehow different, it seemed. He did not seem to have his bearing down very well, and was squinting heavily. His hand drew across the wall as he walked slowly, although whether to steady him or guide him Sirius could not tell.

Also, he was smiling.

"What are you two mutts doing here?" He asked, positively grinning.

Sirius snorted. "I was just leaving."

"Oh yeah? Where were you going to go?" Malfoy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I was planning on going to…" Sirius said slowly, and then shrugged. "Well, I was going to ask Hermione if I could stay with her."

"What about Grimmauld Place?" Malfoy asked.

"It's Harry's now. I'll need his permission."

Malfoy's smile grew afresh. "Well, if Granger won't let you back in… feel free to stay at the Manor. I don't live there anymore, as it kind of creeps me out a little, but if you can handle putting up with the family servants… be my guest."

Sirius smiled. "Yeah, maybe. Thanks. Right now, I'm in no shape to Apparate… you want to accompany us down to the fireplaces?"

"I would, but I have to go get my medicine." Malfoy winced. "I really hate hospitals…."

He walked off, hand still on the wall, and Sirius smiled a little as he and Lupin continued to walk down to the fireplaces.

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Hermione had finally given up doing anything, and was lying back on the couch. She probably ought to be sleeping, so that she could be ready for work the following day… but she could not allow herself to fall away into sleep.

She stared long and hard into the flames, trying not to think and yet finding herself unable. She had just reached a level of intense thought that always came just before she slept when the flames turned green.

She hopped up into a crouched, alert position on the couch, pulling her wand quickly from the holster it found in her belt loop. There, in the fire, suddenly came spinning out, very swiftly, none other than Sirius Black.

She did not put her wand away. Her mouth opened slightly in surprise.

Sirius stopped spinning, and looked very weary. He looked around a little, and then, spotting the younger girl, smiled at her in his own way.

"Hello, there." Was all he said.

He looked fine, just a little tired. His posture was more hunched then usual, and he leaned against the wall slightly for support, but his eyes twinkled just the same as they always had, and he smiled just the same way. His left eyebrow lifted just a little, and you could see the very tops of his white bottom teeth.

Hermione blinked at him.

"Have you got a spot on your couch for a weary traveler?" He asked. His voice sliced through her as if she was butter. She was in shock.

"What…" she finally said, "are you doing here?"

"Hmm?" He made a noise that caused Hermione's skin to tighten slightly. Both eyebrows lifted now.

"I… assumed you were going to Lupin's or… somewhere…." Hermione finished lamely.

There was a long silence, and Sirius kind of felt himself falling a little into depression. He spread out his hands, palms up, and said quietly, "If you want me to go…."

Hermione's eyes widened. "No! Of course not! I had… hoped you would come and stay." Both of Sirius's eyebrows went back up again, and a mental smile spread across him, but Hermione blushed and shook her head. "I just… you know, don't get much company these days. I'd love to have you stay out here in the couch."

"I'd be happy to pay half your rent." Sirius said. "All your rent, really, as I have nothing better to with my money. I have plenty. We could be… you know… roommates."

Hermione blinked at him once more. "But… once Harry gives Grimmauld Place back to you…?"

Sirius laughed. "Like I want to go back to that place? I'd far prefer stay here with you."

Hermione's lip trembled. "R-really?"

"Really."

Hermione felt herself about to cry inexplicably, and knew she did not want Sirius to be around when that happened. She smiled at him and said something about going to get blankets for the couch. She was almost out of the room when Sirius called after her, and she turned around.

"Thank you. I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with right now." Sirius said, smiling.

Hermione smiled shakily, but inside, her heart was pounding. She was unable to speak, so she merely nodded at Sirius and took off into her bedroom, collapsing against the shut door.

Of course he had not meant that, she thought, berating herself. He had not meant be with, only stay with.

Hermione mentally slapped herself for the images that rushed unbidden into her mind. She had no plans to flirt with, hold hands with, and definitely not kiss Sirius. Or anything more. At all. The were just friends, and even that was an improvement from what they had been before. They would not progress. He had been brought back by accident, the door only opened because she really needed it to, and that kiss so long ago…? Sirius was just being the same old Sirius.

Still, Hermione's heart warmed pleasantly as she thought of what he had said.

"No one he would rather be with." She said thoughtfully, pulling a blanket out of her closet. She held it to her, before turning around and heading back to the living room.

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A/N: Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry it's taken so long to update! I wouldn't blame all of you if you forgot about me. But here it is! Chapter 2! Keep guessing the pertinence of the titles of all the stories in this series. Also, anyone who has NOT read HERE WITH ME and DON'T LEAVE HOME, I would reccomend doing so, as this is about to get very confusing for anyone who has not.
Thank you, and I love you all!