Sirius was rudely awoken the next morning by Remus Lupin, who angrily snatched his bed-covers from over him.

'What the f-,' he protested bleary eyed and shivering.

'What the fuck indeed,' Remus glowered at Sirius, picking up a set of robes and flinging them at his oldest friend who was struggling to get out of the ancient four poster bed. 'Hermione informed me that you passed out last night in the kitchen and she had to beg – beg – Kreacher to help her put you to bed.'

'Shit,' Sirius mumbled, as he stood and pulled his robes over his head, 'Damn,,I didn't think I'd drank that much...' he trailed off, absent-mindedly rubbing the stubble on his jaw with his hand and wondering if it was Hermione or Kreacher who had undressed him the previous night.

'Well you obviously did drink that much,' Lupin let out a huge sigh. 'What's going on Sirius?' he questioned in more gentle tones; 'I thought you said you could handle it?'

Dressed now, Sirius shrugged, unable to look his friend in the eye, 'I can handle it, it's just hard to live with the fact that I'm getting what I want after all these years – but Hermione...' he trailed off.

'...Hermione doesn't want what you want.' Lupin finished for him.

Sirius nodded, still unable to meet his friend's gaze, which he was sure would be as pitying as it had been when he'd first confessed to him his feelings about Hermione - nearly four years ago.

At the time Lupin had persuaded him that it was just a mere crush; that his feelings were borne from the stress of returning from behind The Veil – that it was a kind of magically induced midlife crisis and he would only end up ruining his friendship with Hermione. Realising that his friend didn't approve, Sirius had pretended to agree; even tried to persuade himself that what he felt was just some strange transference – but as the years had passed the tender protectiveness that Hermione evoked in him grew stronger. Try as he might to distract himself with a bevy of blondes, his thoughts always returned to Ms. Granger – to her smile, her goodness and her purity.

Mouth dry from the hangover, Sirius was desperately trying not to think of Hermione Granger's purity, how it would be corrupted by Umbridge's new Law – and how a low down part of him was stirred by the thought that soon he would experience what he had fantasised about for so long.

Disgusted with himself Sirius let out a low groan, and banged his head against the faded floral wallpaper of his bedroom.

'Listen Sirius,' Startled by his outburst Lupin searched desperately for the words to console, 'In a way, due to the circumstances, Hermione's lucky to be marrying someone who's been in love with her for years – albeit secretly...'

'She'd be even "luckier" if she was actually marrying someone she loved back,' Sirius's tone was sarcastic as he interrupted him.

'She's be unluckier if she was forced to marry a Death Eater – let's not argue Sirius we'll just end up going round in circles,'Lupin reasoned. 'It's a shit situation, for you and for Hermione. Especially Hermione,' he added pointedly and Sirius felt a stab of guilt. The never ending introduction of laws which restricted and at times humiliated Muggle Borns had dented Hermione's confidence and quality of life – he had no right to complain.

'You're right, I'm sorry,' Sirius conceded with a sigh; 'And thanks you know…'

'For understanding?' Lupin's eyes glimmered with a hint of mischief. 'You're a noble man Sirius – but at the end of the day you're just a man – it's perfectly understandable the torture you're going through'. Slapping his friend on the back, in an awkward half, then steering him towards the door Lupin laughed 'Now that's quite enough feelings before breakfast, come on I'm starving.'

Sirius smiled and followed him out onto the corridor and down the stairs, to where the scent of frying bacon drifted from the kitchen door.

~o0o~

Sirius sat with his arm curled protectively around Hermione's shoulders, and wondered if it wouldn't be too much to quickly nuzzle into her neck. Deciding it was a good move, he proceeded to do so, inhaling her gentle scent, then revelling in the dour expression which crossed the face of Dolores Umbridge as she observed the obviously genuine display of affection.

They were seated before the inquisitors of The Muggle Born Marriage Registration Committee , which consisted of Umbridge, and a witch and a wizard from The Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Arthur Weasley, who worked at The Ministry had informed them that Darius Shufflebotham who had been sequestered from his department was prepared to approve them, but Tilda Jenkings from the Improper Use of Magic Office was a wild card. Umbridge it went without saying would have vetoed them without a meeting, if it hadn't looked so suspicious to the greater magical world, which thanks to the front page of The Prophet featuring a picture of their kiss – was buzzing with excitement at the news that the infamous Sirius Black was hanging up his playboy broom forever.

'Are you finished your tea dears?' Her voice like treacle, The Minister of Magic glanced momentarily at their empty tea cups, and satisfied that they were suitably dosed with veritaserum began her inquisition.

'How long have you been romantically involved?'

'One year last month.' Hermione answered smoothly, trying to supress the giddiness that the antidote to the veritaserum was inducing – and Sirius's fingers which were playing with the tendrils of hair at the nape of her neck weren't helping.

'And why did you feel the need to conceal your relationship from your family and friends?'

'I was concerned the age difference would be held against us – and I didn't want to hear it, might have dented my ego.;' Sirius shot a wink to Tilda Jenkins who then furiously scribbled a note on the parchment before her.

'Do you think the age difference will be a problem?' Umbridge enquired, unable to keep the slight sneer from her tone.

'No,' Sirius shook his head, adamant. 'I may be a few years older than Hermione, but we slot together perfectly,' he moved his arm from Hermiones shoulders and reached for her hand, interlacing her fingers with his. 'We're in love,' he finished with a gentle shrug, leaning over to brush a light kiss on his "fiancé's" cheek, trying not to laugh as she blushed faintly.

Darius Shufflebotham, flamboyantly dressed in robes of cerise, gave a small coo at the endearing picture that they made causing Umbridge to glare sharply at him.

Unnerved that the truth telling potion had failed to act as she had planned, Umbridge found herself momentarily unable to continue her questioning, when Tilda Jenkins, blinking owlishly from behind her spectacles spoke; 'Does you godson approve of this relationship?' she questioned eagerly, quill hovering mid-air in readiness for her to note the answer.

'Harry approves,' Sirius intoned solemnly at the same time Hermione answered 'Of course he does' flippantly. Satisfied Tilda noted their replies.

'Unfortunately the approval for your marriage rests not with Mr. Potter, but with us,' Dolores Umbridge smiled. 'Now please,' she flicked her wand and the teapot which rested on the table flew to fill the empty tea cups which hovered before them; 'Help yourselves to more tea, as I have a great many more questions I need to ask you…'.

~o0o~

An hour later, after many questions which became increasingly more intensive, probing and intimate – not to mention two more cups of spiked tea – Sirius and Hermione had their marriage application approved at a vote of two to one.

'Can you believe she had the nerve to ask me about my menstrual cycle?' Hermione seethed, as they made their way past the security desk and into The Atrium of The Ministry.

'Never mind your menstrual whatsits, can you believe she insinuated I was too old to have properly functioning sperm?', the look of indignant outrage on Sirius's handsome face made Hermione smile.

'And treating you like you were some sort of brood mare whose only function is to breed a new generation of wizards…,' Sirius shook his head as words failed him.

They had reached the visitors exit, and as they waited for the lift which would bring them back to the seemingly innocuous phone booth on the Muggle Street above by which they had entered, Sirius reached for her hand.

'It's going to be ok Hermione,' he murmered, drawing her towards him, cupping her chin with his free hand and turning her face up to his. 'We just need to get this marriage out of the way, get rid of You-Know-Who – and then you'll be free to procreate as much or as little as you like, with whomever you like.'

Unnerved by his close proximity, and feeling dwarfed by his large, masculine frame, Hermione gave a nervous giggle, 'That's a relief – at least I won't have to bear you the five sons you claimed you wanted half an hour ago.'

Sirius laughed, and brushed the top of her head in a gentle kiss before releasing her. 'I promise you Hermione Granger – if the worst comes, and we don't win the war, I'll only ask you for four…'.

She smacked him on the arm, and laughing together they entered the lift, which would bring them back to the muggle world above, and then home.

Thanks so much for all the lovely reviews – I really don't deserve them! IHeartBranson I'm sorry that my chapters are so short – but I don't have a beta, and I kind of tend to ramble and miss the point, so I've trained myself to keep them short. This one's a bit longer – so you can judge how I got on with it Any feedback, good or bad is welcome – I appreciate constructive criticism (it helps me learn…!). xx

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