Days came and went without Hermione going to look at a new flat. It's not that she'd forgotten, each day she had the intention to go but when the time came to actually leave the office she couldn't bring herself to face everyone's continued looks of pity.
Thursday evening as she was preparing to leave, there was a knock at her office door. With Olivia having long since left Hermione unsheathed her wand, letting it rest on her lap.
"Come in."
Looking up from the last few pieces of parchment Hermione was surprised to meet the molten grey eyes of Sirius Black.
Eyes that at one point in her life she never thought she would see again.
It was a surprise to everyone when Unspeakables brought an unconscious Sirius Black into St. Mungo's last year. It was two weeks before anyone was allowed to see him, including Harry, and when they finally were it was shocked everyone to find that Sirius hadn't aged a day in six years. It was as if his time in the veil left him frozen in time. He remembered the fight in the Department of Mysteries but when he woke in St. Mungo's he didn't know any time had passed. After two months of continuous testing to attempt to reveal how he's come to return, he was released into the care of his godson and had since been reintegrated back into the wizarding society as a free man.
Bringing her wand onto the desk with a sigh she greeted her offices newest occupant.
"Hello, Sirius."
"Kitten, good evening."
She smirked. He'd taken to calling her that ever since she'd seen him in the hospital and it had stuck. He was the only one who called her that.
"To you as well. Forgive me but what brings you here at such a late hour?" She finished scrawling out a sentence and set her quill back in the ink well before leaning back in her chair stretching for the first time in hours.
Sitting across from her Sirius grinned and took a moment to look her over before responding. Her hair was beginning to frizz out of her bun and the bags under her eyes made him think she hadn't had a proper night sleep since dinner at the Burrow last Friday. Her fingers had ink splatters on them and despite the chill of the ministry she had a slight flush in her cheeks.
"I spoke with Harry today," he began slowly, "He mentioned that you had yet to find a flat. Is this true?"
"Oh well no-I mean yes, it's true. I just haven't had the time to go and look."
"Then I would like to extend an initiation to stay at Grimmuald with me. You can have the room you used to share with Ginny back in your fifth year." Sirius grinned at the look on her face telling him she was already about to decline his offer and continued, "I'm offering because Harry mentioned that you were worried about imposing on them, despite their constant reassurance that you aren't."
"What else did Harry tell you?" she chuckled.
His grin only spread, "He tells me everything. What was the number again?" He pretended to be in deep thought, rubbing his chin, "Ah yes, I believe it was fifty seven. Fifty seven letters of courtship in one day. I think that is a record Kitten."
"You two are worse then gossipy old witches," she laughed. "Thank you for the invitation Sirius, I appreciate it. I promise I'll try to keep to myself. I know you like your solitude."
"You don't have to do that Kitten. I've spent enough time in seclusion and Grimmuald is large enough for the both of us to have our own space while also cohabitating peacefully. I've prepared your room for you so you are welcome whenever you decide."
"I'll just need to grab my things from Harry's."
Flashing her another grin at her words, he flicked his wand towards the door and her bags floated in effortlessly.
"Already taken care of."
"Harry?" She snorted as she stood and stretched.
He chuckled, "To be fair, I didn't give him much of a choice."
Shaking her head with a smirk she took a slow breath, "Alright well I'm done here. We can leave if you're ready."
"As I'll ever be, Kitten."
Patiently waiting for her to put on her cloak, Sirius shrunk her bags and put them in his own cloak pocket. Then he offered her his arm when she was ready. Leaving the her department the pair headed towards the floo's. Sirius noticed when she placed her free hand on her abdomen as soon as they were in the open hall. Unable to reign in his curiosity he finally asked.
"Kitten, why are you grabbing your stomach? Are you feeling ill?"
Startled she looked up at him, "What?"
"You grabbed your abdomen the moment we left your department. Have you eaten today? Do you feel ill at all?"
Further surprising her he reached over at touched the back of his hand to get forehead. Gently removing his hand she smiled at him around a blush.
"Oh I'm alright and yes I had lunch for once. No, it's, ah well when we went to the Department of Mysteries for the prophecy, right after you and the rest of the Order showed up, I got hit with a curse. Sometimes the Ministry still makes me a bit nervous. Silly after sll these years, I know, but the thought is always there." She suppressed a shiver and unknowingly leaned closer to Sirius.
As she said it Sirius remembered seeing her sixteen year old self being shot back into a pillar after a purple stream of light hit her chest. Cringing at the memory he kicked himself for not snuffing his curiosity.
"Fuck Hermione, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
"No, it's, I don't mind. Plus you were there but I didn't think you saw. Not many did, not until it was over. Remus was the one to find me after Harry took off after Bellatrix."
Suddenly stopping short, he pulled her arm to him and looked at her with something in his eyes that she couldn't quite place, "I remember Kitten. I watched you hit the pillar and even made to go to you but then Malfoy..."
"Sirius, it's alright. We were all fighting. I'm just fine now. Just a small scar for our troubles. You faired much worse that night."
Noticing her absently stroking his arm as if to console him he shook himself like a dog from water and continued walking them towards the floo.
"Don't worry about me love, I'm right as rain remember. Got fancy discharge papers to prove it." Hermione giggled and he felt a swell of pride, "Now lets get back to the house so you can get settled. I'm told you get up rather early to avoid the press these days."
Chuckling she got into the floo and lifted a hand to Sirius as he grabbed the floo powder and stood beside her.
Arriving in the fireplace in the sitting room of 12 Grimmuald Place Hermione stumbled into Sirius' hardened abdomen. Pausing for a breif moment she stuttered her apologies before straightening her spine and excusing herself heading up the stairs. Thanks to her prior time in the house she knew how to maneuver through it without needing to use her wand for additional light.
On her assent she found her mind wandering to how good it felt to have Sirius escort her through the Ministry to the floo, to talk to him about her nervousness, and how equally amazing it felt to have him catch her as she stumbled into the house. Sirius was and had always been a paradox to her.
Meanwhile Sirius found himself watching her disappear up the stairs, unable to think of anything else other than how good it felt to have her on his arm and then in his arms for those few seconds. It was fleeting though, quickly overshadowed by guilt for staring at her like a pervert.
The next morning came earlier than normal for Hermione. The gala was that evening and she was due at Ginny's to help her get ready just after her lunch hour, so she wanted to get an early jump on the day to get as much done as possible. Grabbing her garment bag she made her way from her room down to the kitchen for a cup of tea before leaving for the day. Much to her surprise Sirius was already at the table nursing his own mug reading the Prophet.
"Good morning Kitten, tea?"
"Yes please!"
Sitting down opposite him she poured in a splash of milk and put two sugar cubes into her cup and let out a delightful moan the moment the tea passed her lips. Grinning Sirius observed her with an elegantly arched eyebrow. Once more taking in her appearance he noticed the bags under her eyes from the night before had reduced immensely and felt a swell of pride knowing that, somehow, being in his house had allowed her to sleep comfortably.
Opening her eyes she blushed seeing him watching her. "S-sorry" she all but sputtered noticing his look, "You make an amazing cuppa."
"Thank you, love." he replied looking back down at the Prophet with that grin still plastered on his face.
In turn, Hermione took that moment to observe him, wondering how she'd missed how handsome he was. Of course she knew but she'd never allowed herself to truly look at him before, it always made her feel guilty, like she's betrayed Ron. That guilt didn't surface now.
Long, jet black hair, not quite shoulder length but still neatly kept. Jawline sharp and covered in a weeks worth of stubble, no longer sporting the beard he had after his years in Azkaban. Her gaze followed his beard down his neck until she saw the ends of a few of his tattoos peaking out of his shirt and she couldn't help but think of how strong his abdomen had felt the night before. Her mind wandered further to what he looked like now that he was no longer scarred and starved from his years of abuse in Azkaban.
She needed to leave before he caught her staring again. Blushing at the thought she ripped her gaze from him and got up to leave hurriedly.
"Kitten?"
Turning abruptly she let out a small gasp to find Sirius standing behind her, holding up her garment bag. She hadn't heard him move from the table. How was he so quiet?
"Yes, thank you." She took it from him and gently draped it across her arm. "Will you be going to the gala?" she asked curiously.
"I received an invite. And yourself?"
"Being apart of the beloved 'Golden Trio', I am not only invited but expected," she scoffed lightly. "I'm getting ready at Gin's though so I won't be home until after the gala."
Grinning at her calling Grimmuald 'home' he decided to play with her, "Well love, if the Brains of the Golden Trio would like me attend the gala with her all she has to do it is ask."
Blushing slightly at his insinuation she paused for a moment before turning towards the floo and calling over her shoulder with a smile.
"If the Noble Heir to the House of Black decides to grace us with his presence tonight, I will save him a dance."
Growing up Sirius had hated that title. Nothing changed when he was suddenly resurrected and found himself reinstated. Except when she said it. When she said it, it gave him goosepimps. A title he never wanted, a title he was stuck with despite being blasted off the tapestry. She made it sound like the perfect sin.
"I look forward to it", he replied as she disappeared into the floo.
"Mione! You look amazing! Like Yule Ball only so much...MORE," Hermione gave Ginny a curious look, "Who am I kidding, much hotter! You will have everyone drooling!"
Hermione turned pink at her best friends revised comments and looked at herself in the three way mirror they had conjured for the occasion. Her floor length black dress fit her body like it was made for her, clinging to every curve like a second skin. She had decided to keep her jewelry simple with only a thin white gold necklace that draped along her collarbone with a elegant vine-like chain that draped down her exposed spine, stopping right above her the final curve of her back. Ginny had gone all out with her makeup giving her a smokey eye and a bold red lip. Her hair had tamed itself over the years and was pulled into an elegant braided up-do with a few stray curls hanging loose here and there.
"Thank you Gin, you did a wonderful job on my hair and makeup." She brought her hand up to her face but didn't touch her face when Ginny made a scandalized noise. Turning to face Ginny she smiled, "I wouldn't have been able to do this myself. And you look absolutely wonderful yourself. Pregnancy gives you a glow!"
Looking at her best friend she could see her baby bump sticking out prominently, her green dress setting off the fire of her hair which she had opted to keep down and pulled away from her face.
"Ga stop, my feet already hurt and I am bloated like a pregnant dragon."
Laughing at the mental picture invading her mind she shook her head. "We should get going or we'll be late. I'm sure Harry stopped messing with his hair an hour ago."
Giggling they left the bedroom to meet a gaping Harry. He walked over to Ginny and gave her a subtle but firm kiss that made Hermione slightly uncomfortable.
"You ladies look stunning. I am very lucky to be able to escort the two of you into the gala tonight."
Pulling the portkey from his pocket he encouraged the women to grasp the crushed plastic bottle before he activated it.
When the pull behind her naval faded, Hermione opened her eyes to find they'd arrived in the Hogsmeade in front of carriages that were waiting to take guests to the castle. She got in first with a hand from Harry and then helped Ginny into the carriage before Harry stepped in and sat next to his wife. The two of them engaged in a conversation about the baby wondering if it will be a boy or a girl as Hermione gazed out the carriage at the Black Lake. It's name alone making her wonder if her new housemate would show up to the gala, blushing at the memory of their playful but flirty banter that morning. Thinking of it made her look at Harry.
Sirius was his godfather. What would he think if he'd heard them that morning. If Sirius actually came tonight and they danced. The two had the occasional banter but they by no means flirted, ever. Not before his death and not after. Before she moved in the day before, they'd barely eve spoken outside of family dinners each week.
Her own thoughts created a sinking feeling deep within her gut. Shaking it off she decided she was probably just over analyzing everything including her interactions with Sirius.
As the carriage came to a halt Harry jumped out to offer a hand to his wife and then Hermione. Staring up at the castle Hermione came up short, stopping while Harry and Ginny continued forward. Noticing her absence Harry turned to look for her.
"Go on, I just need a minute," she called.
Sharing a quick look with his wife, Harry left her side and approached Hermione.
"I know this is hard. The first time being back since the reconstruction was finished."
"No its not that," she waved his comment off, "I..I just..I'm alone Harry." Looking down at the ground she found herself unable to look him in the eye. "What did I do to deserve this?"
"Mione-"
"He's been our best friend since we were eleven. If he couldn't stay faithful to me, if he couldn't love me, then there has to be something wrong with me.."
Pulling her chin up he looked at her glassy eyes, filled with unshed tears. "Don't do that to yourself. You deserve much better than Ron. What he did, it's got nothing to do with you or something you did. Tonight you look beautiful. You are never alone Hermione." Withdrawing his wand he cast a quick charm making all evidence of her tears vanish. "Especially not in this family," he added earning a chuckle from Hermione.
"Go on Harry, get Ginny off her feet, I'll be in in a moment. Just let me catch my breath."
Nodding almost reluctantly Harry returned to his wife ushering her into the castle.
Minor panic attack averted, Hermione took a deep breath and shook herself as calm settled over her. Approaching the castle she noticed the throng of press snapping away just before they began asking her questions about her relationship with Ron, what it felt like to be back at the castle, and a whole manner of things.
Looking forward she bypassed all of them before faltering hearing a voice ring out, "Ms. Granger, any comment on an earlier statement that Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown are now engaged and expecting?"
Hermione completely froze in place, turning slowly to look at Rita Skeeter who was sporting a smug look at Hermione's shocked one. A split second passed before Hermione composed herself, flashing her signature smile and continuing into the castle. Making her way up the grand staircase she tried to calm herself with a series of deep breathes in attempt to squander the questions bombarding her subconscious.
How long had Ron been cheating? She'd only left him last Saturday. What else did she miss? How could she have been so stupid? She should have listened to her instinct and left much sooner...
Seeing the entrance to the Great Hall she put on her mask of indifference and feigned happiness. Once in the transformed hall she spotted a flash of red and turned in time to see Ginny and Harry rushing towards her. Ginny all but threw her arms around Hermione, her belly pressing almost painfully into Hermione's stomach.
"Oh Hermione, I am so sorry! I promise we had no idea about Ron and Lavender!"
"It's okay."
"No, it's not. He got her pregnant Hermione, it wasn't a one off. He was-"
"I know. I do and I really just want to try and enjoy my night. Despite the two of them."
"They're here, Mione. No one will blame you if you leave after the speeches are made."
"Harry please, I am fine." He gave her a disapproving look and she rolled her eyes with a small smirk, "Okay, no I'm not fine. I have a million questions and I want nothing more then to find Ron and hex him but I going to enjoy my night, dance and celebrate our lives instead."
Smiling at his best friend Harry let it go, instead ushering her over to the rest of the Weasley clan from which Ginny and himself had attempted to intercept her from. As soon as she was in the sea of red she was enveloped into the bone crushing embrace of George who spun her around in his arms making her laugh carelessly.
"You look beautiful tonight Mione! I can't believe my brother let you go! Tell me, do I stand a chance?"
"No, me!" Fred interjected.
Her laughing increased almost immediately even though she arched an eye brow at her pseudo-brothers seriously while they bickered over who would get to dance with her first.
"I don't think Ang would approve," she teased George getting a triumphant 'Aha' from Fred and a giggle from the witch in question as she watched her husband and twin.
Spinning her out of his twins arms Fred won as George playfully pouted around a smirk while lacing his arm around his wife's hips. Grinning ear to ear Hermione allowed Fred to pull her away to the dance floor while sending a wink at Angela smirking at their antics.
Throughout the next hour she was passed from Fred to George to Arthur, then Bill and even Charlie who had come home for a second weekend in a row just for the gala. In spite of all the fun she was having being twirled around the dance floor she couldn't help but look for those grey eyes she had found herself thinking of all day.
Before she knew it Kingsley took to the podium and asked everyone to please take their seats. She let Charlie lead her to the table she was sharing with Harry and Ron, along with their dates. The Golden Trio were always seated together at these events and much to Hermione's dismay the only open chair was between Harry and Ron. Plastering a smile on her face to hide her scowl she sat down, doing all she could to avoid the presence of Ron to her right and focusing on either Kingsley ahead of her or Harry and Ginny to her left.
When the speeches and memorial ceremony were over and dinner turned to dessert people began to mingle again. Hermione got up from her seat gracefully and made her way once more to the sea of red hair, hoping to say her goodbyes and make a swift getaway without being noticed. She had just hugged Arthur and Molly goodbye when a voice kept her from continuing onto anyone else.
"Kitten."
Her first genuine smile since sitting down for the ceremony spread across her face as she turned.
"The Noble Heir to the House of Black. It's a pleasure to see you, I was under the impression that you might not make an appearance tonight."
"Well I was promised a dance with the Brains of the Golden Trio." Extending his hand with a grin playing at his lips, "Miss Granger, would you please honor me with the next dance?"
Unable to smooth her smile Hermione nodded, placing her hand in his outstretched one. Sirius kissed her knuckles before casting a polite glance to Molly and Arthur and sweeping her away.