Chapter 13: Muggle London

Hermione had been at Potter Manor a little over a week, and she loved it. She spent her days with James, Sirius, and sometimes Dorea and in the evenings she read late into the night in her room. Remus had joined her and the boys yesterday afternoon and the girls were arriving tomorrow; Christmas Eve. Looking back at her previous Christmases during her time at Hogwarts, so far this was playing out to be the most relaxing. First year she spent trying to research who Nicholas Flamel was, second year was spent brewing polyjuice potion, third year she was at odds with Ron over the firebolt, fifth year was just after Mr. Weasley had been attacked and everyone was worried about Harry, sixth year she spent with her family because she had again fallen out with Ron, and finally seventh year was spent at Godric's Hollow with Harry where they were attacked by Voldermort's snake Nagini. All in all, they were stressful to say the least and this was such a nice change. Dorea's cooking rivalled Mrs Weasley's in every aspect including its quantity; there was a feast fit for at least ten people every evening but somehow the three men managed to finish most of it.

"Mione you decent?" came a shout from outside her door. Another perk of staying here was seeing Sirius so much. As much as she hated to admit it, she liked the handsome marauder far more than she should. He was her friend! Her BEST friend. He was her old best friend's godfather! She had seen him die for Merlin's sake! He was an escaped convict... these thoughts ran through Hermione's head at a million miles an hour throughout each day. What was she supposed to do?

"Yeah! Come in prats!"

"Now that is no way to greet your loved ones Mione!" Sirius plonked himself down on her bed without asking and started leafing through one of her books. He grinned at her, he was so excited for today. "So... Mum wants James and Remus to help get the house ready for the girls and for Christmas. So I was thinking if you... wanted to – maybe – if you wanted to –" he blanched. What was wrong with him? Sirius Black, THE Sirius Black, tongue tied? This was literally unheard of...

Hermione's heartbeat picked up quickly and she felt heat rise to her cheeks. Sirius was asking her on another date? After everything that happened last time, he still risked trying again. And she didn't think it was right of her to say yes. Firstly, she had no idea what to do with her feelings right now, she didn't know what to make of them. Secondly, she was still engaged to Ron. Obviously, she wasn't going to end up marrying him now, but it didn't feel right to just go on to someone else. She wasn't ready for that, and despite their differences, she loved him. "Sirius... I – I don't know if that's a good idea"

Sirius looked at Hermione and ignored the stab of pain; she'd misunderstood him. "Just as friends Mione, I swear. I know you cant... you're not ready for that, I get it. But we can go out as friends, I promise it'll be fun. You haven't seen the area" Sirius rushed to get it out, begging her silently to understand his intention.

Friends? She could do that, right? Nothing wrong with it. "Okay! I'm in" Hermione beamed across the room and Sirius jumped up whooping and fist pumping the air. Rolling her eyes, she stood. "Okay okay, get out all of you! I'll be down in five"

"Okay mate keep it cool. Don't make a move, she's not ready okay? I'll beat you up if you do so watch out Siri!" James gave Sirius a pep talk as they made their way down to the dining room. Despite the joking tone in his voice towards the end, he was serious. Sirius might be his brother but Hermione had become a sister to him.

"I know Jamsie, I know" Sirius sighed and punched his brother in the arm. "Ready?" he flashed Hermione his mischievous smirk. "You'll be so proud, I know how to use muggle transport and everything!"

An hour later saw the pair in TGI Fridays, having one of everything from the breakfast menu. A choice obviously made by Sirius, who had discovered his calling in life: waffles. Hermione looked across at her best friend in amusement. She hadn't been sure about this but she was already enjoying herself. Muggle London in this era was so fascinating, she didn't even need to fake her interest in the tours Sirius planned for her. Simply walking down the streets was like walking in a different world.

They had spent the day at Madame Tussauds, laughing and joking around about how they could start their own chain using transfiguration. They had taken lots of photos with each of the wax works which they had later gone and got developed in the shop; they were due to collect them soon. After that, they had run around Selfridges, trying on outrageous outfits until they got banned from ever coming back. But that didn't matter, it was like shopping without the stress of finding something nice to buy. And since it wasn't a shopping trip, Hermione allowed herself to enjoy it. To Hermione, it seemed to be the kind of day you'd have with your gay best friend. Something she teased Sirius about incessantly. Not that she didn't enjoy it; it was the most fun she'd had in ages.

Sirius regarded the beautiful witch in front of him and was pleased to see, even as their day drew to a close, that her eyes still sparkled with energy and happiness. He needed her to see that they could be just friends. "Mione we should probably head back, Mum's cooking dinner"

As they got on a bus which took them straight back, Sirius dropped his wand. "He's got a weapon!" this tottering old lady close to the front screeched bloody murder as she pointed at Sirius. He felt the blood drain from his face as he realised what was going on. Snatching up his wand, he stumbled hastily to his feet, holding his hands up in a defensive pose.

"No! No no no no, m'aam you've misunderstood! I don't have a weapon, look at me! Barely old enough! I don't have a weapon, sweet Merlin! I mean, God... Jesus? I mean – I DON'T HAVE A WEAPON!" Sirius cursed himself as he backed out of the bus, straight into Hermione, sending them both sprawling to the ground. This is NOT how I planned my first time this close to her, Sirius thought. Yet he didn't moved, just stared down. Hermione's eyes were wide, the warm chocolate engulfing him.

"Please extract yourself from the young lady and rise slowly, hands behind your head please sir" cold fear washed over Sirius, replacing any other unwelcome feelings. Turning slowly, he saw two burly muggle policemen looking down at him severely.

"Please, there's been a mistake, he wasn't carrying a weapon officers!" Hermione stepped in to the rescue, as Sirius seemed to be frozen in place. She tried to think of something, anything that could help her to salvage the situation, but came out blank.

"Step away miss, we're going to escort him to the station, it's just down the road. We will give him a full search there. If you are confident that he carries nothing then he'll be out in no time but we have to ask you to remain here." Hermione watched in horror as they handcuffed Sirius and guided him down the street. Way to liven up the day, get arrested... Hermione sighed, she didn't know the way back! If she couldn't do magic, how was she supposed to help him?

A/N

sorry guys! I'm back now though, trying to get into the swing of things again... this was just a bit of fluff and fun, but the next three to four chapters are the main show!

Guest: No I didn't forget Remus, he went home to his family first before flooing to Potter Manor.

REVIEW PLEASE!

love you all,

rads