I woke up, and immediately a thousand thoughts raced into my mind. I've heard people say that they love the few seconds after they wake up that they don't have a thought in their awareness. Apparently they feel totally at peace, without a single worry. It's safe to say that I did not feel at peace when I woke up in the arms of Sirius Black.

I looked at him and felt a pang in my chest. What had I done? I slept with my best friends godfather for the most selfish reasons. How could I have let a schoolgirl crush potentially ruin my life, and more importantly Sirius's. If anyone found out about this, he'd be dead. Although I hoped that they might be somewhat lenient considering he had just returned from the veil a year ago.

God, I'm only 17, I thought. What is he, 35?

My thoughts berated me, well, you're always going on about how you prefer older men…

I grabbed the articles of clothing I could find and left the room, trying not to wake Sirius. I made it back to my room, got dressed, and started packing, randomly throwing things into my bag with limitless space. I figured I could stay at the weasley's for a while I figured things out. As I crossed the threshold of my room, I was suddenly hit with a revelation. I had feelings for Sirius Black. That's why I was running away instead of facing him. Could I leave without talking to him?

No, I finally decided. I would stay and be responsible for my actions. I decided to go down to the living room and wait there for Sirius to come downstairs. I was lost in my thoughts as I waited for Sirius, thinking about what I felt for him. I knew I had a crush on him two years ago, but was it something more now? I was attracted to him, but, could I have more feelings for him than I realized?

I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly, Well it doesn't even matter now, I thought, I've ruined any chance of us being together by stupidly sleeping with him.

I opened my eyes and suddenly a very sad, sleepy looking Sirius was standing in front of me. His gaze at my bag was so direct I thought he might burn a hole through it with sheer intensity alone. He had put on some boxers and a plain shirt, and his hair was messy, and he had a shadow of a beard forming on his handsome face. If it wasn't for his heartbroken look, I would have found his morning look cute, if that was even a word you could use to describe big bad Sirius Black.

His green eyes slowly came up to meet mine, and the look of brokenness and betrayal broke down my walls of shame. All I wanted to do was tell him I wasn't going to leave, but he spoke first.

"I thought you were the brightest witch of your age Hermione, you're not supposed to just leave after you spend the night with a bloke.'"

I looked down at my feet, and looked up again into his eyes. I still saw the pain in them, but he was poorly trying to mask it with his usual sarcasm and wit.

"Sirius, don't do that to me." I said in barely a whisper. "Please, be real."

"I'm sorry Hermione, but what am I supposed to think? You spend the night with me, and I wake up to an empty bed and you down here with all of your things packed. It's not exactly reassuring."

"You're right, I was going to leave, but I didn't. I realized I had to stay and talk to you." I took a step closer and reached out for his arm.

We sat down on the couch, and I turned to face him. He took my hand in his and drew soft circles on my palm with his calloused finger. This simple action made me recall last night's occurrences vividly.

"You're thinking about last night." He whispered, his eyes darkening as they bore into mine.

I nodded yes, truthfully. He pulled back slightly and let out a breath. The intensity in the room thinned, i felt as if the air itself became easier to breath.

"So that's not why you were leaving, it wasn't a bad experience? I thought you regretted it."

I scooted closer to him and stated plainly, "I only regret it because you're my best friends godfather"

"Not because I'm almost 20 years older than you?" He quirked an eyebrow.

"No." I chuckled softly. "I've always had a thing for older men."

He laughed then, and I did too. The tension in the air was officially broken. It was the start of something new.

"Honestly, I don't think Harry would object that much at us being together. The person we have to worry most about is Molly Weasly."

I laughed at the image of Molly beating Sirius with a broom, which is most likely what would happen if she ever found out.

I backtracked to Sirius previous statement, choosing my words carefully. "So, do you think we would ever have to worry about that?" I said as I looked up at him innocently through my lashes.

He smirked, "The only way that would happen is if we were together, so what you're really asking…"

I blushed and looked away, but he gently took hold of the side of my face and captured my lips with his. This kiss was different from the one last night. Last night had been all about passion and pent up longing. This kiss was tender and sweet, and it wasn't asking for anything more; it just told me something I already knew. Sirius had feelings for me as I did for him.

"Stay?" He asked earnestly.

"Always."