Chapter 11 – Finally

As Sirius entered the flat, he pulled Hermione into a hug. Then he held out the painting and the wine. Hermione's face lit up even more and Sirius bathed in her light.

"Ooh, Sirius, you finished the painting! It's perfect. Oh, that's a very nice wine as well. Come, let me show you where I was thinking of hanging the painting."

Sirius followed Hermione from the foyer into a nice size living room with an attached dining area off the back. The flat was in a beautiful late Victorian building and the details had been well maintained. The large windows were framed in elaborate wood moldings. The ceiling was bordered by crown moldings with additional plaster details around the lights. The light fixtures looked like original hand blown milk glass. The floors were original hardwood with an inlay detail around the edges of the room. Hermione had furnished the room with comfortable, but elegant furniture that had a slight French accent in the finishes. A beautiful Persian rug warmed the floors. The tables were warm cherry, unmatched but coordinating. The cream walls and couches were accented with burgundy and yellow. The flat was sophisticated and must have been expensive given flat prices in London. Hermione stepped behind one of the couches and indicated a spot on an empty wall. Sirius moved to her and held the painting up, maneuvering it higher until Hermione indicated that it was in the right spot. Then she pulled her wand and cast a sticking charm. They both stepped back and Sirius thought it really was perfect for the room. Hermione took his hand, gave him a squeeze and Sirius was happy.

With the painting hung, Sirius followed Hermione through the dining area and into the kitchen. Hermione had several pots going and the smells were delightful. He leaned over to peek into the pots and smiled.

"Smells delicious Hermione. You continue to impress me with your wide range of talents."

"Well, I hope you enjoy. We're having beef bourguignon, au gratin potatoes and asparagus. The wine you brought will be perfect. Everything should be ready in about fifteen."

"Well, let me get the wine ready. Can I do anything to help?"

Hermione shook her head and turned back to the stove. Sirius cast a chilling charm on the wine and then waved his wand to pop the cork. He set the bottle aside to let it breathe and stepped back to admire the view. Hermione was checking her potatoes in the oven and had bent over, giving Sirius a chance to admire her tight jeans and delightful bum. Hermione stood up and turned to look at Sirius. Before he could avert his eyes, she caught him staring. He quickly shuffled and smiled at her. Hermione walked over, stopped right in front of Sirius and whispered in his ear.

"It's fine Sirius. I like to be admired."

Then Hermione walked on past him out of the kitchen to her small dining area. She began to set the table and brought out several candles, which she floated above the table. She sat down and Sirius joined her. Looking at her, Sirius was once again impressed by her beauty, dampened by her tired eyes.

"Looks like you had a long week Hermione."

"Yes, too long. But it will be better soon. I told you I had good news. My department received the budget increase that Kingsley and I have been trying to get for years. We actually did better than expected and I'm completely restructuring the department. Currently the department has all magical creatures classified together, everything from kneazles to goblins. That really is too vast a grouping, but it's the way we've been setup for years. Now we're restructuring into two sub-departments. First, we'll have the Department of Standard Sentience Magical Creature Relations. Second will be the Department of Secondary Magical Creature Relations. The first group will work with creatures like the centaurs, goblins and elves. That is, creatures who think, reason and can communicate on a standard level with the Ministry. The second group will cover everything from kneazles to unicorns. Unicorns and thestrals of course are sentient, but not at the same level and cannot communicate through normal language. The first group will have less creatures to cover, but with more work involved. The second group will have quite a few creatures, but less to do with many of of the creatures, beyond uncontrolled breeding regulations and trade restrictions. The best part is that I'll have a manager for each department reporting directly to me. I'll still be involved with final policy approvals and major negotiations, but I'll be able to delegate more of the daily work. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work and I'll have a couple more weeks getting everything in place, but then life should settle down."

Sirius sat back and shook his head while smiling at Hermione. He reached across the table and took her hand.

"You continue to amaze me Hermione. You're a revolutionary force in the Ministry. The changes sound fantastic, and I know it's a major change in thinking for a lot of wizards and witches. I'm glad for your sake that you'll be able slow down a bit."

"Well, it helps that Kingsley has been completely supportive from the first day I took my position. He's been driving the new ideas all the way from the top. Oh! I need to go check on dinner. We should be about ready."

Hermione popped up and Sirius missed having her hand in his. He followed her to the kitchen and took the glasses she had set out. He poured the wine and took the glasses and bottle to the table. When he asked, Hermione assured him that everything was under control, so Sirius went to sit down and wait. A few minutes later Hermione appeared with two delicious plates of food. She sat down to eat and Sirius began asking more about the individual creature relations that Hermione worked with. She went into great detail and Sirius enjoyed listening to her. She was passionate about her subject and when she spoke a fire lit in her that was gorgeous to see. Sirius finished his first plate of food and allowed Hermione to refill it. She seemed pleased that he enjoyed her cooking. As he worked on his second plate and Hermione refilled their wine, she looked over at him and smiled.

"Alright Sirius, you've been wonderful listening to me ramble. Now, what have you been up to in the last week?"

"Hermione, first you should know that I enjoyed every minute of our discussion. You have a real passion for your work. As for me, it's been a good week. Not as exciting as yours, but still good. I was down in Diagon Alley one day painting on the street when I was approached by a local shop owner. His name is Nathaniel Grandy and he liked my work enough to take six of my pieces on commission. I don't know if any have sold yet, but it's still exciting to think that someone outside my family and friends may be interested in my work."

"Sirius, that's wonderful! Here I am talking away and you just listen to me and don't say anything. I have no doubt the paintings will sell. Ooh, I'm so excited for you. So, once you see your paintings start selling, do you think you'll want to be a full time professional painter?"

"I don't know Hermione. I still get restless during the day. I'll see what happens with Grandy's."

The conversation continued for another twenty minutes, covering a range of topics. Sirius was amazed at how easy Hermione was to talk to. They really could talk about anything. They didn't agree on everything, but Sirius still found the discussion lively. Hermione seemed to enlighten everything. As they finished dinner, Hermione waved her wand and swept the dishes into the kitchen.

"Come Sirius, I want to show you something."

Sirius took her hand and followed her into the living room. Twilight was completely done and the city had descended into darkness, leaving a spectacular view of the city lights from the picture window in the room. The window had a large seat under it and Hermione sat down, pulling Sirius down next to her. They sat for minutes, sipping wine and looking at the city lights without needing to say a word. Sirius pulled Hermione in next to him and was happy when she cuddled into his side. Well fed, mildly relaxed by the wine and with a beautiful woman curled up next to him, Sirius sighed with content. Hermione looked up at him and Sirius thought he could drown in the chocolate pools of her eyes. Without hesitation, he bent his head and kissed her deeply. Hermione responded as she pulled herself tighter into him. Soon their tongues began to dance and Hermione let out a low moan. Hermione's hand had drifted under his shirt and her fingers began to trace lines on his chest. Then Hermione pulled herself around to sit on his lap and began to unbutton his shirt. Sirius pulled her back into him and started nibbling on her neck before pausing to whisper to her.

"Hermione, how far do you want to take this? I don't want to push things too quick. You're too special for me to risk hurting you."

Hermione responded by putting one finger on his mouth to quiet him. Then she stood up and took Sirius by the hand. He followed her to the hall and into another room. She turned on one lamp and Sirius realized they were in her bedroom. He looked at Hermione and saw the need in her eyes granting him the permission he so desired. He pulled her back into him and began to devour her mouth once more. Minutes later they broke apart and Hermione finished removing his shirt. Her hands caressed his chest before her mouth began to trace the lines of his muscles and the details of his tattoos. Sirius groaned and began to lift her blouse. Hermione pulled her head up and let her blouse come off. Sirius drank her in, noticing the scars on her body. He traced each one with his lips, wishing to remove any memories of the pain that had been inflicted on her. Then he began to explore her lace clad breasts. As he fondled her, Hermione leaned up and began to trace kisses along his jaw. Sirius reached around and quickly unhooked her bra, allowing him full access to her beautiful breasts. He bent his head and began to lavish kisses on them before lightly licking one nipple. Hermione gasped and reached to undo his belt. As he suckled her, Sirius let his hands drift down to massage her bum. Hermione finished with the belt and then quickly unzipped and dropped his jeans. He kicked off his shoes and then lost the jeans completely. Hermione pressed into him, feeling his arousal while she ran her hands down his thighs. Then she looked in his eyes and smiled as she yanked his trunks off. Sirius hissed as his raging erection was freed. Hermione came back up and began to explore his chest again while her hand reached down and began to work him. Between her tongue and her hand Sirius was about to come undone. He caught his breath and mumbled in her ear.

"Hermione, everything you're doing is amazing, but I'm going to go early if you don't stop."

"Don't worry darling, I understand. This first time is for you. Then you'll be able to last longer for me later."

Sirius groaned as he realized that this was a witch who was well experienced in more than just creature relations, diplomacy and French cooking. He put his head back and decided to enjoy her handiwork. Minutes later he growled as his whole body jerked and he shot a load of cum onto Hermione's stomach. As he climaxed, she took hold of his mouth once more and let him finish gasping into her mouth. Once he was able to think again, Sirius pulled back and quickly finished pulling off her jeans. He was pleased to find a matching pair of lacy knickers, which he began to rub. Hermione began grinding into his hand while grasping at his shoulders and muttering small grunts in his ear. She was dripping and Sirius could feel her need as he disposed of the knickers. He crossed the room and pushed her down on the edge of the bed. Then he leaned over and kissed her mouth before moving to her ear, then her neck, down to her chest and then to her stomach. He was determined to give her a wonderful night and was taking his time to work her up when he felt her fingers in his hair as she growled at him.

"Please Sirius! I need you. I haven't had sex in months. Please just fuck me already."

The begging and dirty language made Sirius twitch, but he was determined to continue at his own pace. He continued to kiss down her stomach before he finally reached into her folds with his tongue. He licked her from her sex to her clit and back before settling on her clit and beginning to swirl his tongue around it. Hermione was panting and thrusting into his face. Then he took the small bud and sucked on it. That finally sent Hermione over the edge as she grabbed at his head and came with a scream. Her whole body shook as he kept licking her through her climax, extending it as she kept jerking against him. Finally her fluids stopped dripping and he raised himself up to look down on her. She was beautiful and looked completely relaxed, flush and glowing. He lifted her up and moved her all the way onto the bed before lying down next to her. They kissed lazily, hands tracing lines across each other's chests. Soon Sirius' partial erection was back at full attention and Hermione smiled as he twitched against her. She kissed him one more time before looking in his eyes and giving him a brief nod that was all the permission he needed. He raised up to position himself and then stopped, looking around for his wand. Realizing what he was looking for, Hermione pulled his head down.

"Taken care of Sirius. Please, I need you in me now."

Sirius smiled and lowered himself, entering her in one slow, constant motion. The feeling as Sirius sank into Hermione was exquisite. She fit him like they had been made for each other. Her tightness was perfect and she took him full in with no problem. She groaned as he sheathed himself completely, almost cumming just from the perfect way he filled her. Sirius bent his head and kissed her breasts as he began lightly thrusting, working up a rhythm. Hermione grabbed his hips and joined his movements, meeting each thrust as Sirius increased his speed when she demanded. Sirius watched as Hermione closed in on her climax and the look was exquisite. Then he pushed in one more long stroke and she came undone, head thrown back screaming his name while inside she clamped down, calling for his seed to fill her. Sirius continued with several slow strokes, feeling every muscle inside her and willing each one to bring her pleasure. He bent his head and kissed a freckle on her stomach. He wanted to learn every nuance of her body, every freckle and dimple. He had been with so many women before her, but he now finally knew what it was make love with a woman. He wanted to fulfill her in every way possible, using his body as the tool. When she began to cum again, the feeling of her muscles and the look of love in her eyes finally pushed him off the cliff as he filled her completely, sending stream after stream into the body of his beloved.

Sirius woke with the first rays of morning light coming in through the curtain. He was on his side with Hermione facing him. She had her legs between his and her chest pressed against him. Her hair was a beautiful, crazy mess and her mouth curved up in a slight smile. She looked wonderfully relaxed and Sirius thought that he would be happy to not move all day, except that his bladder had other ideas that couldn't be denied for long. He was loathe to disturb her as he slowly removed himself limb by limb from her embrace. He made his way to the bathroom and took care of himself as his mind went back to the night before. He had never planned on their relationship moving this fast, but now he knew there was no going back. James had once told his brother that when he found the right one he would know and his wanderlust would be gone. Sirius had been a carefree twenty and had laughed at the thought. That evening he bedded two women together just to prove James wrong. Now his brother was gone, but he was finally proven right. Sirius finished in the bathroom and returned to the bed. He was going to climb in, but then he found himself staring down on the beauty that was his. Hermione sensed his presence and opened her eyes a crack.

"Morning beautiful."

"Mmm...morning. What time is it?"

"Don't know, too early, but I had to pee. I was just coming back to bed, but your beauty distracted me."

"Well come back to bed then."

Hermione rolled over and patted the bed next to her. Sirius climbed in and snuggled against her. He kissed the tip of her nose and was thinking about going back to sleep when Hermione lazily began kissing him. They continued kissing in a sleepy, dreamy way and soon his half-awake cock was denying his sleepy state. Hermione reached down and felt him and sighed happily. Sirius put a finger into her folds to explore her and see just how sleepy she was. When his finger slid inside he found she was plenty wet and removed his finger as he pulled Hermione closer and slowly drove into her. She sighed and they moved against each other with slow strokes that allowed for lots of kisses as they explored each other. Many minutes later, Hermione's kisses slowed as she began to moan and then fluttered to a long, slow climax. Her muscles milked him for what seemed to be an eternity before he snapped and released himself into her. Her eyes were already closing and, as he finished his release, he joined her in slumber.