A/N: I really had to think of a place they could go on a date that would have a decidedly Sirius feel to it. So I wrote this chapter in another locale, but re-wrote it when I thought of this. I hope you like it. Please review!
She had never felt like such a stereotypical woman. Rejected outfits littered the bed, and her options were starting to wear thin. What did someone wear to a 'casual' date? What about if the person you were going out with had seen you walking around in pajamas and old sweats before, did that change things? Sighing she decided that she'd lay her five favorites on the bed and pick by the ultimate deciding factor. Eenie meanie miney mo. The single person's rock paper scissors.
She landed on a pair of jeans and a dark blue top. She put it on and examined herself in the mirror. Sufficiently casual, and very 'Sirius'. She added a leather jacket, something she had picked up spur of the moment on her shopping trip as it reminded her of her suitemate, checked her makeup, and took a deep breath before walking out of her room.
Sirius wolf-whistled as she moved into the common room.
"Careful, Black," she smirked, trying to hide her blush. "I can call the whole thing off right now."
"You wouldn't do that to an old man like me, would you?"
She smiled at him. "What's the plan?"
"Bike ride?"
"Sounds good to start."
They wandered to the elevator. When the doors opened a few floors down the same woman who had given them the dirty look upon their arrival entered with her husband. Immediately Sirius threw an arm around Hermione's waist and drew her closer. He bent to give her a prolonged kiss on the cheek. The woman shot them another look before turning to stare pointedly at the door.
"You're horrible," Hermione muttered as they walked out of the elevator.
"Playing to my strengths," Sirius smirked. They met the couple again as they waited outside for the bike to come around. They earned another look as Hermione hopped on the back of the bike and they sped away past the woman as she was climbing into the taxi.
Hermione shook her head slightly. Sirius seemed to be enjoying himself and getting his swagger back. He had been hidden so long she couldn't deny him the opportunity to push the boundaries a little bit. They meandered through the city, in no obvious direction, but that was okay. Any excuse to cling onto Sirius a bit more. A couple times her mind wandered back to Grimmauld Place, to the meeting with Harry and Ron where, if they were a couple at that point, she and Sirius would have to explain themselves, but she pushed those thoughts away quickly. The meeting was three weeks away. Right now she just wanted to enjoy her time with Sirius, and this time she couldn't blame all the feelings on the bike's vibrations.
Something piqued his interest, and he pulled over in front of a brightly lit neon building. They secured the bike and wandered inside.
"An arcade?" Hermione asked, looking around.
"You can't tell me a Muggle-born like you never played video games," Sirius smiled back.
"Growing up I'd rather read than play video games. My parents offered to get me a game set for Christmas one year, I asked for a gift certificate to a bookstore instead."
Sirius laughed. "Good. That should make my victory all the much easier."
"Don't men usually let their dates win? As to up their chances?"
"Normally, but you're Granger. The bragging rights might be worth the risk of making you mad."
Hermione rolled her eyes, took his hand, and steered him towards a car racing game. She took a seat and prepared herself while he put money in the slot.
"You're going down, Black," she muttered.
"Probably. Since I haven't been in one of these since... I can't remember when. You picked this one instead of the bike racing one on purpose, didn't you?"
"Just get ready, Sirius," she said, placing one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the gearshift.
From the moment the race started it wasn't much of a competition. Hermione, who had been taught to drive by her father, took an early lead that lasted the whole race. She had already completed half the race by the time Sirius got the hang of shifting. And once he had managed to start shifting he had difficulties staying on the course on sharp turns. She finished and crossed her arms behind her head while leaning back as Sirius' side of the machine informed him of his loss.
"So you beat a newbie, congratulations," Sirius muttered, looking at her. "You want a medal or something?"
"Alright, if you think it's so unfair I chose a car racing game we'll do one you pick and see if you can have your slaughter."
Sirius took her hand and led her around the arcade, searching for the perfect game. They had done two laps before he settled for a martial arts game. And, despite her grumblings that the game was 'barbaric', he put his coins in the slot and motioned for her to join him. She sighed, sidled up to the second set of controls, and chose her character. The game started, and as much as she jabbed her fingers at the controllers Sirius' character continued to wallop on her until her character keeled over dead.
"So you beat a newbie. Congratulations. You want a medal or something?" Hermione repeated to him.
"I'd settle for a kiss."
Hermione looked up at him, leaned forward as if to kiss him and, with he lips less than an inch from his said sultrily, "I'll Skee-ball you for it."
He growled in frustration. "Fine," he said, grabbing her hand and leading her quickly through the arcade until they came across the Skee-ball lanes. They set themselves up in two lanes next to each other.
"Name your terms," Hermione said, picking up one of the balls.
"Highest score wins. I win, you have to give me a kiss."
"I win you teach me how to drive the bike."
He looked shocked. "You want to drive my baby?"
"You can always back out if you want to," she looked innocent before turning towards the lane. She shrugged out of the leather jacket, revealing the low-cut top beneath.
"You're on," he growled. They started rolling balls down the lane. Hermione knew the game well enough to be pretty accurate with her throws. But no so accurate that she pulled too far ahead. She made sure to keep one roll behind Sirius. After his last ball hit the end of the lane she realized she needed only twenty points to win. She could tell Sirius noticed this, too, as he didn't look too happy. She lobbed her last ball so lightly that she didn't get any points.
"Oh, you win," she said casually, turning towards him.
"You threw it," he said, staring down her lane.
"No, it slipped," she said shrugging.
"Well, in that case," he said, closing the gap between them, leaning down, and pressing his lips firmly to hers. She pressed herself into him, this time determined not to end the kiss until she was good and ready. She entwined her hand with his to prevent him from running away again before breaking the embrace.
"Merlin's pants, 'Mione," he whispered, looking her over.
She sighed. "What is with you and Ron and putting all your emotions into articles of Merlin's clothing or parts of his body?"
"It's just the way we were raised, I guess," he shrugged.
"Oh, no, it's not," she laughed. "I've heard your mother's portrait. You were raised to use much fouler language than 'Merlin's Pants'."
"I'm assuming that if I talk like my mother you'll walk out of here by yourself and I'll get thrown out of here for being a nutter."
"If they're throwing people out for being a nutter you'd be gone by now," she smirked.
"Hey!" he growled, lifting her up as she playfully shrieked. He walked her through the building until he deposited her by the racing bikes.
"You had your slaughter," she groaned. "Must you humiliate me further by pointing out what a bad motorcycle driver I'd be?"
"Consider it your first lesson," he said, sitting astride one of the bikes.
"I don't think you can teach me everything I need to know on a couple of fake bikes that don't tip all the way over."
"True. But I can teach you some stuff. Hop on. Or do I need to find you a helmet? I'd think Harry was the accident prone one, but if you don't feel safe on a game I could go fetch your helmet."
"Quiet, Black," she rolled her eyes as she climbed on the second bike. He leaned over and taught her the controls, which were, he assured, somewhat accurate. His hands kept brushing hers, and once he even placed them gently on her waist to show how far she should lean into a gentle curve. It became hard for her to focus as she became more and more distracted by his every touch.
"Don't lean too far into the turns, or you won't be able to recover," he said finally, depositing some coins and selecting a track.
Crap, she thought to herself as she straightened up and waited for the start of the race. Is this one the throttle, no, that's the brake, I think...
Sirius had his second easy victory of the night, as Hermione spent most of the game crashing into walls from either leaning too far into the turns or not far enough. He helped her off the bike and they headed towards the back of the arcade where there was a small concession stand. He bought them each an ice cream cone and they sat at a table.
"Are you having fun?" he asked, and she could almost hear a slight edge in his voice.
"Loads," she nodded. It was the truth. She never thought playing video games was this much fun, but now she was considering getting herself a console when she returned to England.
"How are my chances?" he asked.
"What?" she asked instinctively. Her stomach dropped. She liked Sirius, but how much was he expecting from her on their first date?
"For a second date, love," he finished with a smile.
"Oh," she said, visibly relaxing. "Very good."
"Excellent," he smiled, gazing around the room. "It feels so... normal, doesn't it?"
She nodded. For the first time in a long time things felt natural to her. No looking over her shoulder, no wands, no Magic of any kind here. Just fun.
He stood, offered her his arm, and led her out of the arcade. They hopped on the bike, and before she knew it (and before she would have liked) they were getting off back at the hotel. They rode the elevator back, hand in hand, and he walked her to the door to her room.
"This is where I say goodnight, love," he smiled, brushing her hair back.
She wanted to protest, to say that they could stay up later playing video games on the console in the room, but his lips were on hers and her thoughts went out the window. His hands touched her face softly, each finger leaving a warm trail against her skin. Too soon he broke the kiss and started for his own door. She went into her own room and sank onto the bed, smiling.
