Chapter Four: Smitten
"You wake up, put make up on, stare in the mirror. But it's clear you can't face what's wrong. No need to fix what God already put his paintbrush on. Your room mate yelling "why you gotta take so long?" What it's like to have a crooked smile."
-J Cole; Crooked Smile
Sirius spent the vast majority of his summer inside number 9 Grimmauld Place. Eventually even Regulus joined him there. Regulus and Leo became the best of friends, and Hermione was comforted that Leo would at least have one good friend.
She and Sirius hung out in the Library most days, though sometimes, Hermione was obligated to take Regulus and Leo to go get some more ice cream. This was mostly because Regulus wanted to learn more about muggles. They fascinated him.
"Hermione?" Sirius asked. Looking up from his book for the first time that day. "Are we actually courting?" It was a question that had bothered him for some time, but he was almost afraid to know the answer.
"I suppose we are," Hermione folded her legs beneath her, a deep in thought look on her face. "I mean, if you want to. I'm not going to push," She said, returning to the thick volume in her hands.
"I'd like that," He said quietly, Hermione wasn't sure if he meant for her to hear that, so she kept her eyes trained on her book, even though her heart was beating loudly in her ears. "You're not like other girls I've met, you're different somehow," He finished just as quietly.
Hermione smiled behind her book, her spirits soaring. "Sirius," Hermione said. "You wanna go get some pizza with me?" Hermione set her book aside, springing up to look at him.
"I don't know what that is, but sure," He said, smiling a little. A genuine smile for once.
"Sounds like a plan," She said. Hermione told Tinky that they'd be missing lunch today, and they set out to Gino's Pizza (a/n: not sure if they have those in London, but they're good here.) and ordered a meat lover's pizza, and two cokes.
"So, what is pizza?" Sirius asked, watching around them in amazement.
"It's a big circular thing, composed of a big crust, usually brushed in butter or garlic, tomato sauce, cheese, and whatever toppings you want. In this case it's all meat. I got pepperoni, sausage, and bacon," She explained.
"It sounds like some kind of breakfast food, since it has sausage and bacon," Sirius looked slightly puzzled. He reminded Hermione of a dog, he had this quizzical look on his face, and his head tilted slightly.
"You'll see," Hermione said, as the waiter brought the pizza out to them. Hermione took one piece for herself, and put another on Sirius' plate. He waited patiently for her to take a bite, so he knew how to eat it.
"You eat it like this, Sirius," She grabbed the piece of pizza and took a bite off the small end. Sirius followed suit. Taking a much bigger bite. "Be careful, it's hot!" Hermione warned him, just a little too late.
His cheeks flushed red as he drank some of his coke to assuage the burning in his mouth.
"That's hot, but really good," He chuckled a little.
"Now, do you still think it's a breakfast food?" Hermione asked.
"No, it's different somehow." Sirius said, quickly devouring his first piece and moving on to the second.
Hermione moved at a slower pace, dipping her pizza in ranch sauce, and watching Sirius.
"Why do you watch me so much?" Sirius asked her between bites.
"You're interesting to me," Hermione answered. "I like watching you."
They ate in silence for a few minutes. "Have you ever been to a muggle mall?" She asked Sirius.
"No, I haven't seen a lot of muggle things," Sirius replied.
"When we're done eating, did you want to go to the mall with me? There's something I need to pick up," Hermione told him.
They finished the pizza, and Hermione and Sirius set off down the sidewalk to the mall. Half way there, Hermione, who had been observing Sirius the whole time, crossed the distance between them on the sidewalk, and grasped his hand. Sirius stiffened for a moment, but then he laced his fingers within hers.
They walked into the mall, and Hermione knew the crowds of muggles were probably overwhelming for him. So she led them directly to a bookshop she needed to pick up a book at.
"Hey Hermione," The boy across the counter greeted her.
"Hey David, I'm here to pick up those books you were holding for me," Hermione said.
"Sure," He said, grinning. Hermione could feel Sirius' hand tighten slightly around hers, Hermione didn't have to look at him to know he was pissed off.
"David, this is my fiancé Sirius," Hermione introduced the two.
"I gathered that Hermione, I know you were telling me about him last time you were in. I have to say, he's everything you said, he was and more," David's eyes raked up and down Sirius.
It took Sirius all of three seconds to understand that the boy wasn't being friendly because he liked Hermione. David was just being friendly. His grip on Hermione's hand loosened considerable. "Nice to meet you David," Sirius said politely. "Can't say as I've heard anything about you, so I can't say the same," Sirius squeezed Hermione's hand once more, before telling her "I'm going to go look at some books, I'll be right back."
"Oh, jesus, this could take hours," Hermione chuckled, "Hold those books for me a little while longer, I'm going to go check out the stacks," Hermione told David.
"All right, I'll be here," David said.
Hermione was busy pouring over the stacks when Sirius came up behind her. "You're telling your friends I'm your fiancé now?" He said in a teasing tone.
"It's pretty much the truth, isn't it? Courting is generally a prelude to becoming affianced, and then married," Hermione shrugged as though it were a commonly known fact.
"So, is that the plan? We're going to get married eventually?" Sirius asked her.
"We'll do whatever you want to do, Sirius," Hermione said patiently, still scanning titles.
"We haven't even kissed yet," He said, so quietly that Hermione nearly missed it.
"Can I take you someplace? Have you ever been to Diagon Alley?" Sirius asked.
"I've heard of it, but I've never been there," Hermione responded, looking up from the books to watch Sirius, as she was so fond of doing. His eyes were alight with what to Hermione looked like happiness. "Let's go then,"
Hermione purchased her books with muggle money, and after ducking into a bathroom, to make sure her hair was presentable. The long sundress she had on was proper attire as far as most magical folk were concerned, but after Hermione fixed her hair, they were off.
Sirius led her through the streets of London, to a dingy looking pub. No one really paid them any mind as they entered. They came to a brick wall, Sirius pulled his wand out of his boot. Hermione realized this was the first time she'd ever seen Sirius with his wand. He quickly tapped out a pattern on the bricks, and bent to replace his wand back in his boot. The bricks rolled back to reveal an amazing sight.
Diagon Alley was bustling that day, it wasn't quite three in the afternoon on a sunday, and the Alley was filled with witches and wizards. There were shops bursting with wares, and witches and wizards peddling their own items on the edges of the street.
Sirius led Hermione into the fray. This was something they didn't have in the States. It was bustling, and loud, but it was wonderful to her.
"This is my favorite shop," Sirius said, stopping in from of a quiddich shop. "I'm a chaser on the Gryffindor quiddich team," He said with a note of pride in his voice.
"Can I tell you a secret?" She asked him, when he nodded she continued, "I've never flown on a broom before."
"Today's a good day to try," He said, leading her into the shop.
It felt as though they'd been in Diagon Alley for just a few minutes, but in reality it'd been hours. Sirius and Hermione had been to nearly every shop in the alley, picking a few things up here and there.
Sirius dutifully carried a few bags, from where Hermione had splurged a little. She'd bought some sweets at Honeyduke's, and couldn't resist buying a new dress at Madame Malkin's, which of course led to her buying a matching clutch, a new pair of shoes, and some jewelry. Hermione was totally in her element and literally glowing with happiness. Sirius loved to just look at her.
"Look, Sirius! It's a bookstore!" She said, laughing freely.
"I know Hermione," He chuckled a little.
"Let's go in," She said, tugging him along by the hand.
"Welcome to Flourish and Blotts, Can I help you with anything?" A man asked.
"Yes, I'd like one copy of everything!" Hermione said, smiling brightly.
"Hermione," Sirius chuckled. "Don't empty the man's inventory on the first day. We can always come back tomorrow."
"Okay," She pouted. "I'll just buy a couple dozen," She said, laughing.
"You've got an entirely fully stocked library, Hermione," Sirius shook his head at the bookworm's antics. "Please just buy a few, love. My arms are aching already,"
"I'll carry them then, you baby," Hermione said playfully, turning her attention to the stacks.
Hermione poured through the stacks, shed clutched four novels in her hands, three potions books for her mother. Hermione was positive her mother didn't already have those in her collection. She picked up an interesting book entitled 'Hogwarts a History', she was intrigued by the castle that she would soon call home.
Hermione heaved the eight heavy books into the counter. "That'll be-" The cashier was cut off.
"Free," Lucius said from the doorway. "Put it on the Malfoy tab," Lucius grinned in that way of his.
"Hello Lucius," Hermione greeted him. "It's been a while," Hermione saw Sirius' face out of the corner of her eye, and it wasn't a happy face.
"Hermione!" Narcissa half way shrieked, appearing behind Lucius, grinning so widely Hermione was afraid the witch's face would crack.
"Hey Cissy," Hermione smiled hugging the witch.
"I've missed you so much Hermione, I haven't hear anything from you since the gala," Narcissa then noticed Sirius' presence. "Oh, Hello Cousin, how are you?" She asked.
"I've been well," He said, wrapping his arm around Hermione's waist. "Particularly better since Hermione and I began courting," Sirius said, clearly warning Lucius to stay away.
"Yes. It's true," Hermione said, her cheeks coloring slightly. Narcissa looked so excited that she was fit to burst.
"That's so, so, so, awesome!" The tiny witch exclaimed, punctuating each word with a little hop. She looked so excited.
"I forgot to ask when I saw you last, what are your year's and houses at Hogwarts? Hermione asked the two.
"Lucius and I are sixth year Slytherin's, Bella and Rodolphus are seventh year Slytherin's, and Rabastan is a fifth year Slytherin. Andromeda is in fifth year too, but she's a Ravenclaw," Cissy said all in one big rush, it seems she doesn't like to breathe when she talks.
"That's awesome," Hermione said. "My mother was in Slytherin, and my father in Ravenclaw," Hermione said.
"Oh, where do you think you'll end up?" Cissy asked.
"I have a feeling I'll probably end up in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"Oh, we'll still be your friends, won't we Lucius?" Cissy said, elbowing the imposing Heir Malfoy.
"Of course we will," He said, "It doesn't matter what house you're in, you're always welcome at the Manor," Lucius said with sincerity.
"Thank you both, I'll see you sometime soon. Maybe I can come to tea with you and Andy sometime, Cissy?" Hermione asked Narcissa.
"Definitely, I'll send you an owl," She smiled with sheer delight.
"All right, we must be going home, My mother must wonder where we've gotten off to, we've been out for hours," Hermione said, stressing the word.
"That's fine, I'll see you later, Hermione!" Cissy said.
"Bye," Hermione waved as she and Sirius walked away.
It wasn't until they were on the streets of Muggle London that Sirius spoke again, "I've never seen Narcissa that excited in my life, sure she's always bounced around like a bloody doxy, but I've never seen her like that!"
"I met Cissy, Bella, and Andy at the gala where I met you. Well, actually I met Lucius first, and then he introduced me to the other five. Including Rodolphus and Rabastan, whom I don't really know well. I mostly spoke to Lucius, Cissy, and Andy," Hermione said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Well, it's good that you're making friends, but I need you to do me a favor. Please don't ever go around Lucius by yourself. I don't trust him. His family, their a real piece of work, they're a lot like mine, but worse. They're very vocal about their beliefs, but they have enough money to keep the Aurors away," Sirius explained to her. "I just don't want you getting hurt," He finished.
Hermione looked deep into Sirius' eyes, "I promise I won't. I know about the Malfoy's, my mother explained to me about Abraxus before we even went there. It seems that Abraxus and my father had some troubles back at Hogwart's. He's the reason my father became an Auror."
Sirius seemed immediately relieved by Hermione's declaration. "I was just making sure."
"It's okay Sirius. I at least have a little bit of sense in this mind of mine," Hermione said, taking his hand again and leading them back to number 9.
"Did you want to see what Tinky made for Dinner?" She asked him.
"Sure, why not? Tinky might even let me have some more pie!" He exclaimed. Sirius had seen the error of his ways, and now ate as much pie as Tinky would let him have.
They walked in hand in hand, happy for once.
Thoughts so far?