Hermione's eyes blinked open. At first, all she could see was cream, cream sheets wrapped safely around her. The next thing she noticed was a soft hand touching her own. Jumping slightly Hermione looked to the source. Dumbledore was sitting in a small purple arm chair with orange dangling charms. He smiled, his eyes twinkling and removed his hand.

"Miss Granger."

Hermione pushed herself up.

"Dumbledore."

She looked around. She was in her old bedroom in her parents' house, for the first time since their death. The thought stung her chest but she chose to ignore it.

"Sirius. Where's Sirius?"

Her eyes searched Dumbledore's frantically.

"He is fine, other than a little stressed."

His head tilts forward and he looks at her from above his half-moon glasses. Hermione blushes and narrows her eyes.

"Yes, well I hope he is."

Dumbledore looks solemn but Hermione swears she sees the left of his mouth twitch. His light heartedness fades quickly however.

"I understand your intentions yesterday Ms. Granger but I must ask you not to intervene as such in future. I dare to say that what happened in that forest was only a smidgen of what could have happened and had Remus not arrived on time along with other Order members, I try not to think of what you could have endured."

His eyes burned in to her and a rising guilt smoked through her body. She felt so bad in fact, that she had to look away.

"Both Sirius and the rest of us in the Order are extremely fond of you, Hermione."

Hermione's looked up to him again at the use of her name. He was smiling again.

"It would be a great loss if something were to happen to you."

With this Dumbledore tapped her hand dearly, rose from his arm chair which faded in to smoke and left the room. Hermione sighed and looked around the room again. A feeling of numbness slowly crept over her. Her room was slightly dusty, empty of her belongings as they had been brought to her after her parents' death. The house was now hers but she could not face to live in it. She could not sit in the bed any longer. Sliding from it, a thought struck Hermione. Where is Sirius? When will she see him again? Will she be allowed to see him again? Panic and anger expanded in her chest and she felt close to tears. Dumbledore had simply left her with no answers or explanations. No next step. She was simply standing in her parents' abandoned home with no one to tell her what was to happen. She had never wanted to see Sirius' face more. What if she was to stay here until the next headquarters was discovered? With no company or news? Hermione was about to sit and cry, the tears welling in her eyes when the door creaked behind her.

Hermione let out a gasp, turning to see Sirius standing at her door, his eyes brimmed with worry.

"Sirius." She whispered, rushing to him.

Sirius was quick to pull her close to his body. His arms were close to crushing her but Hermione loved it. She never wanted him to let go.

"You are too stubborn for your own good, Hermione." He whispered through her hair.

She kissed his shoulder, then his neck and looked in to his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

He sighed and stroked her head. His breath brushed against her chin and she slowly leaned in and pressed her lips against his.

After the kiss, Sirius takes grip of Hermione's arms and holds her back from him, urgency in his eyes.

"Please Hermione, don't do that again."

"I can't promise I won't try and help you Sirius."

Something snaps in his eyes and she doesn't know what it is, which scares her.

"I was afraid you would be like this. You have to keep my missions separate from yours Hermione. I'm begging you."

"But Sirius I can't –"

"Otherwise this can't work."

The idea beats something in her.

"Alright."

"Do you promise me?"

"I promise."

His hands relax and pull her in once again.

"I love you, Hermione."

Hermione melts in to his chest and smells his shirt.

"I love you too."