Hermione was reading the Daily Prophet at the kitchen table in the Burrow. Mrs Weasley was busy setting the table around her,
'Everyone will be arriving soon, dear.'
Hermione did not look up. The kitchen door swung open and Remus and Tonks entered, Sirius followed slowly behind them as if hoping not to be seen.
'Hi Molly, Hermione.' Yelled Tonks. Hermione looked up and smiled before returning to her paper.
'Are you OK, Hermione?' Remus asked.
'yeah I'm fine just a bit tired.
Again the door swung open and Ron entered pulling close behind him a blonde witch. Everyone turned round as they entered including Hermione.
'Hi ya. Everyone this is my girlfriend Aleesha' He said looking like he had just won the Quidditch Cup.
Everyone stood staring with their mouths wide open, before all turning to stare at Hermione.
'oh' said Tonks,
'we all assumed you and… Hermione… where… you know… together…'
Hermione turned deep red.
Ron let out a deep laugh.
'Your kidding!' he laughed as if it were the funniest thing he had ever heard.
Bang! Everyone turned quickly to see Hermione's chair hit the ground.
'Yes Ronald, it is absolutely hilarious the thought of me being with any one, least of all people YOU!' she stormed off leaving them in silence.
'what did I say?' muttered Ron.
'Go after her Ron' said Mrs Weasley gently
''what about Aleesha?' he questioned, clearly not wanting to leave.
'Ron…!' said Mrs Weasley getting ready to let rip at him.
'Its ok, I'll go' said Sirius as he walked through the door, closing it after him before Molly could argue.
Sirius walked across the yard, he could not see where she had gone. She may have disapperated. He turned into his animagus form and sniffed the warm air. He caught a faint trace of her scent mixed with a twinge of damp salt. She was crying. He followed her scent along the path then into the forest, her scent grew stronger and eventually he reached a clearing. She was sitting against a tree, her hands covering her face, which rested against her knees. He slowly approached and when he reached her he sat beside her and raised his paw onto her knee.
'Hi…S…Sirius' she whimpered.
Sirius gave a gentle bark and leaned his head towards her. She raised her hand and stroked behind his ear. Suddenly she pulled him towards her and put both arms around his neck as more sobs over took her. They stayed this way a while until she stopped crying. She slowly raised her head and said
'Thanks Sirius'
Sirius suddenly transformed and the arms around his neck suddenly released him as he sat back and said
'No problem, Hermione.'
They sat both leaning against the tree starring into space.
'do you want to talk Hermione?' He asked as casually as he could manage.
''No… yes… I mean… oh I don't know…' He could hear her voice breaking with emotion.
'Please don't cry.'
'oh Sirius… what am I doing… I haven't got a clue. I feel useless, I don't know who I am anymore'
'Is this what's been bothering you Hermione…' Sirius asked slowly
'yes…well kind of… I just feel so alone and useless.'
Sirius laughed. And instantly regretted it as she began sobbing her heart out.
'No, I'm sorry.. I wasn't laughing… well I was, but not at you Hermione.' She still wept. Sirius felt terrible. He normally couldn't handle female emotion but with her it was different, he wanted to comfort her. He slowly reached out and put his arm around her pulling him into his chest. She raised her hands onto his chest and continued to cry.
'I know how you feel Hermione' He see her look up at him.
'I feel the same, I feel…' he wasn't any good at this kind of stuff, but she had stopped sobbing so he decided to continue.
'I feel I no longer have a purpose, like I don't belong anywhere anymore. I have a home I can't stand to step foot in, I go from place to place in search of sofa's to sleep on. I have only Harry, who has started his own life and won't want an old man hanging around him and…'
He stopped as she took hold of his hand in hers. Her hands were so small and soft. She ran a tiny finger down the palm of his hand that sent tingles running through his body.
'Your not old Sirius.'
They sat in silence until Hermione sat up rubbing her eyes.
'we all thought you and Ron were together, you know as a couple.'
Hermione scoffed
'You heard him back at the house, he would never want to be with some one plain and ordinary like me. Not when he can get someone like what's her face… and if I'm truthful I don't blame him, I know he loves me as a friend, the same way he loves Harry, but he can't be expected to like me in that way just because he's my friend. I mean, no one else would come near me so why should he have to.'
'that's all rubbish Hermione.'
'no it's not. If I'm honest to myself, I don't even fancy Ron but I just always assumed it would be Harry and Ginny and Ron and Me. But Ron can get anyone he wants so he definitely won't want an ugly bookworm holding him back.'
Sirius jumped to his feet.
'Don't you ever speak of yourself like that again, Hermione. That's the biggest load of crap I have ever heard, and I won't have it from you. Do you hear me?'
She looked on the verge of tears again. Sirius pulled her to her feet and pushed her against the tree.
'There is nothing wrong with you Hermione' he said gently
'look at you, your smart, brave, funny, interesting, caring…' he raised his hand and pushed her hair behind her ear.
'and your beautiful Hermione.'
'No I'm not Sirius!'
'yes you are.' He lifted her chin and held it so she looked into his eyes.
'You are Hermione… trust me. And if Ron and all those other… 'boys' can't see it, its there loss. Because they would be crazy not to want you.
Hermione arms reached up and pulled him close, he returned her hug.
'Thank you Sirius.' She whispered
'No problem, Hermione.' He whispered back.
He lowered his head so that his lips were right next to her ear, and whispered.
'Hermione, if I was twenty years younger, I'd treat you like a princess.'
He heard the breath catch in her throat, and her arms released him. She starred into his eyes and he winked at her, she broke into a smile.
'Come we should get back, Molly will be stressing.' He reached down and took her hand. They walked the rest of the way back to the cabin, discussing Harry and Ginny's wedding. As they reached the yard, Hermione released his hand and said
'Thanks Sirius, you've made me feel a lot better.'
'Good'
They entered the kitchen and joined everyone else at the table.