Hermione was standing in front of her mirror in her bedroom and making faces as she looked at her body. She was in black knickers and ran her hands over her torso. The witch was wondering if she should change her appearance a bit when there was a knock.
"Come in," she murmured without thinking; it had been awhile since she lived with anyone she wasn't shagging.
Sirius came in as she was glancing at herself in the mirror and admired her nearly naked form. "Debating where to get a tattoo, love?" Sirius asked and she blushed with a smile.
"Maybe, what do you think I should get?" She asked turning so she could see her back in the mirror.
He approached her and his fingers gently ran along her back to midway. "creation star?" He asked with a low voice.
She blushed brightly and gazed up at him, "what else?" She whispered and he smirked.
"Well," he paused and moved his fingers gently to brush her hair aside and placed them at a halt where her neck met her shoulder on the left. "Gebo and Mannaz, here." He murmured and she stared at him through her eyelashes.
His fingers traced to her hip, "Venus, right here," his voice was a deep rumble.
"Sirius," her voice was small and breathy.
"Love, you are so much more than you even know. I never got a chance to thank you for bringing an old wanker back from the dead." He declared and she bit her lip.
Her heart was hammering and he watched her chest rise and fall out of the corner of his eye. "I missed you both, too." She muttered and he smiled.
He pressed his forehead to hers and chuckled, "I shouldn't want to do naughty things to you, but I have never had the best self-control."
She let out a breathy laugh and spoke gently, "you both think I am crazy, that's alright. Most people do."
He took her face in his hands and ran his thumbs over her cheeks. "Moony told me not to toy with you. I am not, I promise you, but I need to see something, Hermione." He told her and her eyes grew.
Sirius closed the gap and kissed her gently. It was tender and soft but explorative as he asked politely with his tongue against her lips for further entry. She granted him an opening and he gently kissed her as she whimpered and ran her hands over his shoulders. When he pulled away he chuckled and gazed up at the ceiling. "why does it feel like that? You kiss me like... last night, you were kissing us like you were reuniting with old lovers. Why?" He questioned her and she huffed.
"You would think I am insane like Malfoy does," she grumbled and he ran a hand through his hair.
"Try me," he said finally and she rolled her eyes.
"Fine, but you better think twice about it after you finish the book." She told him and turned to grab the small journal on the bed. "This is the reason I was sure I was going to bring you both home. Read it if you like, just don't ruin it. I- well- it is something I hold dear." She sputtered and blushed as he took the book from her.
He flipped to the first page and frowned, "this is a dream?" His voice sounded his shock and she nodded slowly.
"It was more than that I believe. I am not sure, Sirius. It was... it was too intimate and detailed to just be a heady, long-winded dream. It is a bit of a read," she responded and sighed.
The animagus shut it and gave her a nod. "If this will help me understand you, I will take the time." He declared and she smiled.
"You may feel differently about it after you start it, Sirius," she warned him and he grimaced.
She kissed his cheek and exhaled heavily, "I am going to finish getting ready."
Sirius gave her a motion of agreement, "alright, love. I will see you momentarily." He moved to leave and Hermione took his arm.
"Sirius, don't show Remus yet, alright? He is already upset at me." She murmured and he frowned.
"Alright," he agreed with a twitch of his lips.
"I will see you shortly."
0o0o
Sirius was sitting in the library in the evening as Remus walked in; he had just finished his visit with Teddy. Hermione left early so they could have some bonding time and she was up in her room. The animagus was sitting in the arm chair and drinking a glass spirits Draco left while reading a book Remus had never seen.
"Did you steal her diary, Pads?" Remus asked pointedly.
"No, she offered it," Sirius murmured and sipped his glass.
Remus walked up to him glowering, "why would she do that?"
"Because this girl has lived an entirely different life with us." Sirius voiced and finally looked up at him. "In a dream, Moony."
Remus snorted and sighed, "Padfoot, what are you going on about?"
"Here let me read you some," Sirius offered and cleared his throat. "We were outside in the garden of St. Mungo's and I could feel the sun beating comfortably down on us. I could taste the sweet air of the seasons changing. It wasn't as lovely as their presence. They were reminders of second chances. The soft fur against my fingertips was a small comfort that we had lived through it together. Even if they had to feel my feelings. Joking loosely about the odd conclusion if it was reversed. Padfoot jostled with Moony as a dog for commenting on his less than proper emotions and I couldn't help it. I knew more than anything that I was supposed to bring them back, regardless of what was to happen after. They were careful with me and with that came the understanding that even changing the world comes with a toll on someone."
Remus blushed and glared at him, "you shouldn't- Pads- what is that?" He inquired and Sirius sighed.
"I have a feeling there is more to this story, Remus. I turned to the back, I found out what happened. In this dream, the incantation slowly killed her and we were so distraught from her loss we brought her back. We loved her in this tale." Sirius murmured and held up the journal.
Remus dropped his annoyance and now seemed curious, "what do you mean?"
Sirius patted the book, "I am reading it, I cheated and found out the end, but I am finding her loopy letters to be enchanting. In this story, I believe we fell in love with her... and her us. She had to live this. Her details are as if someone was recounting memories, not a dream."
Remus ran a hand through his hair and pursed his lips, "Pads, this is crazy."
Sirius grinned and nodded, "but it is very interesting. I am excited to see if there are any naughty bits."
Hermione entered the room and knocked on the door, "Draco is coming by in twenty minutes, he had a bad day." She told them and disappeared again.
They glanced at each other and Sirius frowned, "I don't like that," he growled and Remus closed his eyes and bit down his angst.
"Me either," Remus admitted and Sirius nodded. "Let me see this journal of hers?"
"Wait your turn," Sirius snickered and Remus chuckled.
Remus went over to the couch, stretched out, and rubbed his face, "Sirius, what if... join me in a hypothetical?"
Sirius placed the book down again and tilted his head, "yes?"
"What if she planned on things being the same in that book? Do we want to venture down that path?" He asked and Sirius shook his head.
"Things are already different, that severing they did, disconnected her feelings from us. In this so far we had admitted to her that we could feel them and seemed more interested in investing time with her due to it." Sirius murmured and sipped his drink again.
"You don't voluntarily read unless it has a purpose. What is it Pads?" Remus asked and Sirius sighed heavily.
"I kissed her to see if it was the same sober. She kisses- well, she kisses like..." He trailed off and ran a hand through his hair. "That's why I couldn't shag her last night, Moony. Even sloshed, I knew."
Remus glared at the door and they heard footsteps, "Granger, where are you?" Draco shouted, anger clearly in his voice.
"Draco, what's wrong?" Hermione was heard from the hallway after rushing down the stairs.
There was a rough slam and Sirius jumped up to go see. He had the curvy witch pressed against the wall and was snogging her roughly. He pulled away and glared at her, "I don't want to talk, I just want to shag, alright?" He questioned and she nodded.
"Okay, come on," she whispered but caught Sirius staring at her from the library.
She stopped dead and the blond glared over at him, "so now you want to participate in her desperately pining for you further? She has been searching for months to save you both and you cannot even shag her," Draco spat and Hermione turned red and glared at him.
"Uncalled for! Get in the kitchen. I will get you a drink instead of a shag, alright?" She snapped and he snorted and nodded at her.
"Fine," the blond growled and followed her.
Sirius let out a guttural sound of frustration and went back into the library. "Little brat," he snarled.
Remus was chewing his bottom lip, "alright, Pads. We will talk about this shortly. Let's go join them," Remus grumbled with a glare at the door and Sirius nodded.
Hermione was sitting at the table with Draco, "so he just won't let you see her because your father called him putrid? This whole business seems so awful, I am sorry," Hermione sighed and Draco nodded.
"I am so angry! Why am I not allotted the chance to be with anyone I want to be with? Seems to be the theme of lately, Granger." He growled and she sighed and gave him a nod.
They did not know that the marauders were standing by the entrance to the kitchen. "I don't understand it, Draco. I was so certain everything was going to work out when I brought you in on my insanity. Not only do I know I am off my rocker, I am most certainly dragging people in with me. The benefit is that you have time, right?" She questioned and he sighed heavily and patted her arm.
"You know, Granger, in a different life you would be the perfect woman for me." He admitted and she shook her head.
"In my different life, I never was your perfect woman, ever, Draco." She giggled and he grinned.
"Just two blokes who happen to-" she silenced him with a shove and he chuckled.
The marauders entered and Hermione blushed lightly and sipped her teacup. "Sorry for my outburst, cousin," Draco muttered and Sirius nodded.
"Lucius let his temper out again?" Sirius asked and Draco groaned.
"My wonderful father got into a screaming match with Astoria's father today because of what happened in the Death Chamber. Supposedly, if I was indeed worthy of his daughter I wouldn't have brought back you two and Severus. A load of... well, my father let his tongue wag and it turned into a scene." Draco finished with a look of disgust and shook his head.
"I am so sorry, Draco," Hermione sighed and he ran a hand over his cheek.
"You are a good witch, Granger. Don't let my father or anyone else for that matter tell you what you did was wrong." He responded and she smiled and gave him a nod
Sirius sat down next to Hermione and Draco pulled away from her. Remus followed suit by lounging at the head of the table and Draco glanced between them. They seemed very perturbed at his presence.
"You are a good man, Draco. You wouldn't have helped me if you weren't. I am sorry that I caused you so much stress." Hermione said sadly and Sirius rubbed her back.
"Love, you are a good little witch," Sirius murmured and a tear ran down her cheek and she covered her face.
"I feel like this is all my fault," she whimpered and Draco shook his head.
"No, no, Hermione. It is silly stubborn rubbish. We will be fine, I am just venting." Draco muttered and she exhaled before uncovering her cheeks and sipped her tea.
Draco cleared his throat, "besides the insanity that you are, Granger... it is pretty fun and wonderful."
Hermione giggled and nodded, "I hope so." She wiped her eyes and her gaze met Remus's.
"You are brilliant and beautiful, Hermione. Don't forget that," he told her and she blushed deeply.
Sirius leaned over and started nuzzling her neck until she giggled and pushed him, "Sirius, alright, I am not crying anymore!" She exclaimed and he grinned against her skin.
Draco cleared his throat, "well, I am going to go and get a leg up on some sleep, Granger. See you at dinner tomorrow," the blond smirked at her and she sighed.
"Please bring your best behavior. I have a feeling tomorrow might be a horrible day if we aren't careful." Hermione groaned and he laughed.
"Oh, I was thinking of making a scene. It would be great," he teased and she rubbed her face.
"Get out of here you, tosser," she spat with a smile and he downed his glass and waved before leaving.
Hermione glanced between both the marauders and cleared her throat, "so, I will just grab a few biscuits and get out of the way. Thank you, gentlemen," she said with a bit of uncertainty and pulled away from Sirius.
"Good night, Hermione," Remus murmured with a softness to his voice and she smiled as she grabbed her cookies.
"Good night, marauders. Behave yourselves," she responded and rounded the corner out of the kitchen.
Remus heard her climb the stairs to her bedroom on the first floor and furrowed his brow. "do you find it odd that she does not want to spend time down here?" He mused and the animagus frowned.
"A bit, but isn't she a bit odd anyway?" He asked and Remus scratched his chin.
"I think I want to go have a look," he told Sirius who stood up.
"Alright," he replied and they slowly made their way up.
Remus held an ear to her door and heard her humming to herself. Knocking he her hear invite them in and saw her stretched out on her bed. Hermione was reading and tilted her head to see both of them.
"What can I do for you? Did I leave a mess?" she sounded clearly surprised and Remus shook his head.
"Are you okay?" Sirius inquired and she frowned.
"Of course, I just did not want to get in the way. I am going to be looking for places on Monday so I won't be an inconvenience any longer. My apologies for not having a suited place before." She declared and the wizards looked at each other.
"You aren't, why would you think that?" Sirius voiced with a frown and she shrugged her shoulders.
"I mean you both are correct. I wasn't thinking soberly last night. A mental lapse in judgment. I figured I would keep myself scarce so you wouldn't have to worry. I wouldn't want to make anyone else uncomfortable." Hermione murmured and the pink tint in her cheeks was the only telling sign.
Remus blushed deeply and pursed his lips, "You are not an inconvenience, Hermione."
She placed her book down and stood up, "I know, I am a silly girl. I did silly things and I am sorry that I made you upset, Remus," she declared and her eyes fell to the floor in embarrassment.
He still wasn't sure what would be appropriate, she was still very unknown territory for him. He reached out and placed a hand under her chin, tilting it up. "You did not make me upset. You made me feel things I did not believe were responsible. It is unique for pretty witches to flirt with old marauders," he said with a smile and she bit down on a smirk.
"If you really want to move you surely can, but we like having you here to keep us on our toes, love," Sirius muttered and Remus gave her a nod.
"I am sorry to make you feel terrible for feelings that are positive. You cared enough to bring us back and I did you no justice by being grumpy. I am still trying to catch up too." Remus sighed and she smiled and hugged him.
He embraced her and smelt the gentle sweetness of her affection on the air. It ran wild with her natural scent and made him smile. "Remus, I really was wrong to be so coquettish, my apologies," she murmured against him and he chuckled.
"You are a hard woman to deny, Hermione. I was at my absolute end by the close of the night and the liquid courage in my body only stirred the cauldron." He admitted and she gazed up at him and giggled.
Sirius went over to her bed and flopped down, munching on one of her cookies. "Looks very decent in here, kitten." He declared and her eyes grew big.
She pulled away from Remus swiftly and bit her lip, "thank you," she murmured and Sirius smiled at her.
"So, does that mean you are going to hug me? I just gave you a compliment too," Sirius declared with a bright smirk and she glared at him.
"Remus is still my favorite, Sirius," she told him and he pouted.
"I think a nice book and some sound company are a good end to the night," Remus spoke with mirth in his voice and Hermione stifled a smile.
"Well, as long as you don't mind," she responded and Sirius yanked her over to him.
"No, Moony, she is going to spend time with me and we are going to count her every freckle," Sirius teased and she groaned.
"Save me please, Remus," she retorted and the werewolf grinned.
"Come on, Pads, you can count them when she isn't looking," he told the animagus who chuckled and released her.
"Alright then, let's go read," they left her room with smiles and she did not remember climbing back up to it that night.