Disclaimer : I do not any rights of Harry Potter !

Thanks to Totallyawesomeharry, my Beta !


Chapter 4: Sharing tenderness

Hermione had spent a few days gathering herself at hers and her parents' grave. She was lost, but at the same time she had lost the little pain that had been in her since her arrival, since the death of her double. She felt so guilty of her new well-being that she let out her rage and knocked with her bare hands against the tree next to the graves. Falling on her knees, her head against the tree, she gave way to the hatred she had against herself.

Sirius had allowed himself privacy to gather his thoughts, but had re-joined Hermione when she shouted. What he saw broke his heart: she was in tears on the ground with her fists covered in blood. He put his hand through her hair and placed a kiss on the top of her head, whispering to let go; that it would be better afterwards. An hour passed before the young woman could recover her spirits, they left the cemetery and returned to the HQ. They ate in silence until Albus arrived with the news of the day and the rest of the order.

"Good. Riddle's diary was recovered by Severus in Malfoy's mansion, Sirius and Hermione recovered the Rowena Ravenclaw Diadem, Salazar's Slytherin medallion was also found, Gaunt Ring is also in our possession just like the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff," he summarises.

"So we're missing Nagini and Harry if I count correctly," Hermione said, "but how can we destroy the Horcrux in him? I remind you that to my knowledge Harry must die, only for a few seconds but …"

"Mione is right, for the snake we will eventually find it but for Harry it will be necessary to find a solution without having to eliminate it!"

Hermione looked at him, almost shocked. Sirius had called her "Mione," a little nickname that Ron and Harry had used for her. She held back a few tears thinking that, after all, he could not know how she still had trouble talking about all this without cracking. She was still going to spend long hours in the library looking for a way to save the one who should have become her best friend. She had to find out. She began to talk to Albus about the Resurrection Stone, which might be useful to them if they were to kill Harry in the end.

If all this went as planned: Voldemort would not come back. And if he did return he would be as vulnerable as any human. She was happy with this idea; she only wanted to avoid all the sufferings that would be inflicted on good people. 'Hermione, stop thinking about the past again and again, you have to go ahead and do what needs to be done,' she thought. She did not realize that someone had joined her in the library, he passed his hands over her eyes.

"Guess who?"

"Um, then, what a difficult question there is. Hum ... I would say Albus without much conviction," replied the young woman with a broad smile on her lips

"Do I look that old, sweet miss?"

Sirius turned her around, leaving little space between the pair. She felt her heartbeat accelerate, he was so close to her that they were breathing the same air. She could not detach her gaze from his; she had known him in the past only by rumours but he was stronger than her, she wanted the attention he shown only for her. Taking her courage with both hands she put her arms around his neck, keeping an immense smile.

For his part, he did not know what to do; she was the best friend of his godson, but she was about his age. She was ravishing, intelligent, and almost stupid to hope to attract her attention. He felt a thrill go through her when she placed her arms around his neck, he had never felt such a thing for a woman. She understood him better than anyone, even in his animal form (the why was still a mystery). The sorcerer then caressed her cheek gently, taking advantage of the heat of her skin. He did not feel worthy of such a woman and yet he wanted to be a better man: for her.

"Sirius ..." she murmured, "what are we doing. Seriously?"

"Shh Mione, we take advantage of the moment ..."

At these words he no longer refrains, his lips reached out to touch those of the young woman who at first had been reluctant, surprised by Sirius who could not help but give her his kiss gently. Their lack of air forced them to stop, but their eyes remained immersed in each other without any need of speach. Hermione did not hold back to come and steal the wizard's lips in front of her, who was still surprised that she was receptive to her desires. Their kiss seemed to stop time; as if nothing else mattered, the world could have collapsed that they would not have paid attention.

They were glued to each other in a timeless and tender embrace as Remus surprised them, and he left the library with a smile, which intercepted the rest of the members present. He simply explained that Hermione and Sirius were in the midst of a private conversation. They all began to laugh heartily, happy that despite all the context of the past few weeks, a little joy and happiness were created between these two who needed support and someone in their life.

When the young couple returned to the drawing-room all eyes were immediately directed upon them, so they understood that everyone was aware of it. Remus pleaded guilty of sharing the information but they were all happy that they were. Hermione could not have been redder at the moment, Sirius, who was always smiling, put a kiss on his companion's head while keeping her close to him. Who would have thought a sorcerer like him would be satisfied with a certain monogamy! No matter the past, he would enjoy the future with her and no one could take her away from it.

The only one who seemed disgusted by the situation was kreacher, the house elf of the Black family, who saw Hermione as a "Mudblood" and was outraged that a pure blood like Sirius might want to mix with the noble family of the Blacks. He would never obey her, which was out of the question, and he knew that his old mistress will also hear the news this evening. The discussion then changed subject thanks to Albus who saw the young woman not recovering from her emotions.

"Miss Wilkins, we certainly have the Horcrux, but I wish we could get rid of it as quickly as possible!"

"You will need Godric Gryffindor's Sword previously soaked in Basilisk Venom, the mixture of the two will thus destroy them."

The director of Hogwarts agreed and undertook with a team of Aurors to rid the school of this snake and at the same time to recover the venom. Hermione described to them exactly where the Chamber of Secrets was, and that he would need someone speaking Parseltongue to open it. Once all the points were made, Albus would be absent for a while as he interviewed for a new future teacher of defence against the dark arts: a certain Quirell!

Hermione suddenly took a horrified look and explained to Albus that he should never face this sorcerer who would eventually become Voldemort's host. The sorcerer then sent an owl directly to Quirell explaining that he had already found a taker for the post. Of course he looked around looking for how to find a professor without making an announcement.

"Oh but I think, by what I understood you are a very smart and qualified woman, Miss! Why would not you try that role?"

"I ... Uh ... I'm very flattered but I never taught! I only had Optimals at my O.W.L.s and I never had the opportunity to spend my N.E.W.T.s with the war!" Hermione answered barely audible.

"Oh but in view of your knowledge and the many adventures you have experienced as well as all the fights you have led I do not doubt that you have the required experience! In addition, I plan to create a definitive identity here on earth to simplify your life and adding the teacher's diploma would only be one more formality!"

The young woman would have liked to hide at this moment because she was embarrassed by the situation, but she could only admit that she would have loved teaching at Hogwarts, thinking more about Metamorphosis or Sortilege as a subject. But she could always ask to change jobs when the manager would have found better than her, which would not be complicated according to the young woman. She thanked Albus again and again for her generous offer and returned to the arms of Sirius who was delighted to see her so happy.

He had just been offered the role of Auror in the ministry and had received permission from Albus to reside with his companion at Hogwarts between two missions. Both were happy at that moment, sure they knew they would have fighting to lead and that between Nagini to find and Harry to save everything was not so simple. Sirius had one thing in mind, something that would soon be asking Albus and Hermione: take Harry home and raise him as his own son.