Thanks to all of the potions, Hermione slept for most of that day, as well. She woke up only long enough to eat a little soup that the matron had brought to her and to go to the bathroom with the older woman's help – only to be overcome with weak and shaky limbs on her way back to bed. When she asked nervously where Sirius was, she was reassured that he just went to have a little chat with Professor McGonagall in her office. Madame Pomfrey also addressed her concern that he could have been seen by letting her know that since Umbridge was now gone, all of the floos were working again. Therefore, Sirius had used the fireplace in the infirmary to pop over there. Hermione was also pleased to hear that he had only agreed to meet with the Professor if Madame Pomfrey promised to stay with her patient.

"He wanted to make sure that you knew that you were not alone, Pet." The kindly healer said to the young lady, who was gratified by the thoughtfulness of them both. "Now, go to sleep," the matron continued, "and I think that you will be ready to see your friends in the morning."

The next morning the young lady was happy to realize that she could get to the loo and back on her own as long as she held on the footboard of each bed in the infirmary as she passed it. She smiled at Sirius in the adjacent bed as she crawled back into hers. He had returned at some point during her slumber and had taken Madame Pomfrey up on the offer of the using the bed next to hers. Apparently, she had come upon Hermione snuggled up with the big black dog when she came to deliver McGonagall's offer to meet with Sirius. (This was after she heard about Hermione's family troubles, but the young witch didn't know that.) The matron's heart had smiled at the peaceful sight. However, she realized that it wasn't really an appropriate situation – even though she knew that Mr. Black's motives were pure – in this instance, anyway. Since the infirmary had been all but empty since exams (none of the students wanted to spend the last few days of term stuck in bed instead of hanging out with their mates), she felt justified in expanding Hermione's private curtained area to include a bed for Sirius, as well. She didn't want the girl to feel alone – especially after all she had been through this past year.

While Hermione slept, Sirius had spent an enlightening meeting with McGonagall in her office. Dumbledore had even stopped by briefly, even though he was extremely busy trying to restore some order at the school by controlling the chaos and soothing the frazzled nerves that Umbridge's actions had left behind. The Headmaster was also not pleased that Sirius was at Hogwarts instead of at Grimmauld Place. However, when he heard the entire story of what happened at the DoM, and the issues that Miss Granger was having with her family, he reluctantly gave his blessing for the man to stay until the young lady was healed – provided that he used every means at his, and young Mr. Potter's, disposal to stay well-hidden. After all, the old man knew all about the obligations of a life debt and he also knew that Hermione had to remain in the wizarding world - no matter what. He had already spoken to Harry about the prophecy and he knew that the young man would need his brilliant and determined witch friend to help him through the troubled times ahead. Therefore, among the three adults, they decided upon a course of action to help Hermione that pleased Sirius very much.

Sirius soon awakened and smiled at the little witch next to him as he remembered the outcome of that meeting. He resolved to speak to her about it soon. However, he just felt that he needed to speak to the Pup first, since it involved him, and his future, as well. He had a suspicion, though, that Harry wouldn't mind. In fact, he thought that his godson would heartily agree with the proposal that he had in mind – for many reasons – especially since it had been enthusiastically sanctioned by both Dumbledore and McGonagall.

He soon realized that both sides of that discussion would have to wait, however. That was because as soon as Hermione and Sirius had finished the breakfast that Dobby had brought to them, they were descended upon by a horde of well-wishers that had only been kept at bay this long by Madame Pomfrey's insistence that Hermione had almost died, and as such, needed her rest. The matron graciously allowed them to keep the privacy curtain up and even supplied her own silencing charm when the reunion became a little too boisterous to be appropriate for the infirmary – especially since they still needed to keep Sirius's presence a secret, as well. She did peek in once, though, to make sure that everyone was behaving themselves. She couldn't help but smile to see Mister Potter sitting next to the girl on her bed and tightly holding one of her hands – while Sirius watched indulgently from the bedside chair. Hmm… she thought. Is that the way the wind is blowing now? She then looked over at Mister Weasley, who was sitting at the foot of the bed and engaged in messily devouring some Chocolate Frogs that Hermione had politely declined – all while pointing out the various marks that the brains from the DoM had left on his arms. Oh yes, Potter is definitely the better choice, she thought as she continued to survey the group. Misses Weasley and Lovegood, as well as Mr. Longbottom, were also visiting and sat side-by-side on the other bed that Sirius had slept in. The matron left, however, when all seven of them started to engage in speculation about the latest articles that had appeared in the Prophet about the return of Voldemort. She had read those same articles with much disgust, and had no wish to relive them.

Eventually, the visitors left to go to lunch and Sirius quietly asked Harry to meet up with him afterwards in the Room of Requirement so that they could discuss something in private that might take a while. Harry agreed, a bit confused, but realized that Sirius must not want Hermione to know about whatever it was that he needed to discuss. Thinking about the huge secret that he was also carrying, Harry nodded his understanding. He didn't want to worry Hermione about that either – at least not until she was better – and maybe not even then. However, he could and would tell Sirius, he thought with relief. Perhaps he would be able to shine some light on the subject for him. Plus, Sirius was technically his legal guardian and it was only right for him to know that his godson was a marked man. In fact, there were probably quite a few things that he should tell him now that he had been holding back all year.

Sirius shared a light lunch with Hermione simply because the little witch seemed to eat more when she had company. He knew that she needed to eat to regain her strength from the blood loss that she had sustained because blood replenishing potions could only do so much. Therefore, he stayed with her and cracked little jokes to make her giggle, but was careful not to make her laugh too hard and, therefore, undo all of Madame Pomfrey's hard work to heal her wounds. Afterwards, he told her where he was going as he went to don the invisibility cloak. Not surprisingly, she argued with him about the possibility of getting caught – especially by the Slytherins who might be roaming the halls, as well...and what if he was intercepted by Professor Snape? That certainly wasn't a pleasant thought. However, she then amazed him by coming up with a brilliant idea once again. She called for Dobby – who after thanking Hermione again for all of his lovely knitted hats - was more than willing to take Sirius to the Room of Requirement, especially since the man planned to meet Dobby's much loved Harry Potter there. Sirius just looked at her in astonishment at the suggestion. He had never really thought about the house elves' ability to apparate within the walls of Hogwarts when nobody else could. He told the young witch as much.

"Really," Hermione muttered while shaking her head disgustedly. "Has anybody besides me read Hogwarts: A History?"

"I think Moony did once," Sirius replied with that carefree, younger looking smile again. "But I don't listen to him either!" With those words, he allowed the little house elf to place his long arm around him. Just as they were about to disappear, Sirius called out, "I'll see you for dinner, Little Lioness!"

Hermione just shook her head affectionately and reached for the books on the side table that Harry and Ginny had brought for her. Just then, she realized that she had not thought about her own predicament once since discussing it with Sirius. Somehow, just telling him about her parents relieved her mind enough that she was able to put all of her fear and uncertainty aside while she slept, ate, and socialized with her friends today. He certainly had that big brother quality about him that made him easy to talk to, she thought. Big brother, she thought. Yes, that is exactly how I feel about him. He feels like an exasperating, but hilarious and…yes, even loving…big brother. She felt a surge of affection for him just then and decided to ask his opinion as soon as he returned on what she should do since there were only two days of term left. Then relieved at that thought, she read for a little while until her exhaustion caught back up with her. Then she fell asleep with the book on her chest and a little smile on her face, as well.