A/N: This is it, the last chapter! Thank you so much to everyone who read this story, and for all the Favs, Follows, and Reviews! This has been such an amazing experience! And thank you again to my beta Ms. K. Everdeen.

Chapter 5

The morning of Harry and Ginny's wedding, Hermione packed up her gear and headed over to the Lupin's. Tonks had insisted that Hermione let her do her hair and make-up for the day. Though she claimed she just thought it would be fun, Hermione knew it was because Tonks didn't trust her with the task for something as important as being maid of honor. Hermione was inclined to agree, her skill probably wasn't up to snuff.

They spent a couple of hours getting ready, and Hermione had to admit Tonks had done a great job.

The dress robes Ginny had picked were a beautiful dark cream with golden embroidery along the edges and down the sleeves. Her make-up, while more that she usually wore, was not overdone. And Tonks had pulled her heavy, honey brown curls into an elegant chignon, which Hermione had been amazed at. Even when she fixed her hair up, it always had a wild look to it, but Tonks had assured her that she had used just enough magic to make sure it stayed put all day.

"You look amazing, Hermione," Tonks said when they were done. "Sirius is going to have a heart attack when he sees you."

Hermione started, "Why on earth would you say something like that?" After begging her not to, Tonks had not brought up Hermione's feelings for Sirius since March.

Tonks just smiled, heading for the door, "Come on, we need to get going if we're going to be to the Burrow on time!"

Hermione stood, rooted to the spot, mind spinning. Had Sirius said something to her? Or to Remus? Hermione was startled from her thoughts by Tonks' reminder shout from outside, and she scuttled to the door.

After spending the early afternoon helping Ginny and taking pictures, it was almost time for the bonding ceremony. Suddenly, Ginny cried out in alarm, "Oh no, the rings! I forgot the rings!"

Maid of honor mode kicked in for Hermione, and she rushed forward. "Where are they?"

"In my dresser drawer. I was supposed to give Sirius my ring and bring Harry's here to give you!"

"Don't worry, I'll apparate over to Grimmauld Place and grab them. The men should still be there, so I can give the ring to Sirius. I'll be back in plenty of time for the ceremony."

Ginny hugged and thanked her, and she left for the apparation point.

When she arrived at Grimmauld Place, there was no one in sight. She went upstairs and retrieved the rings then went in search of Sirius. She found him in the library standing by the desk, glass of firewiskey in his hand, looking down at something.

He didn't notice her at first, he was obviously deep in thought, a frown creasing his face. Even so, he looked incredibly handsome, hair tied back with black dress robes and tie, and dark gray waistcoat.

Hermione gently cleared her throat, and he look up at her. He slowly lowered his glass to the desk. His eyes travelled up her body before finding hers, "Hermione, you look... stunning," he said, voice husky.

Hermione smiled, cheeks tinging, "Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself."

He smiled back at her, then looked back down at the desk. Hermione walked over to see what captured his attention. She saw one of Harry's photo albums opened to a picture of Lily and James on their wedding day.

"I haven't thought about them as much lately. I guess I've finally moved on with my life. They should be here today. I wish so much they were here," his voice was soft, choked sounding, like he was holding back tears.

Hermione took one of his hands in both of hers and squeezed, "Yes, they should have been here, and it's terrible they aren't. But you are here, and Remus. And Harry has so many people who love him here today."

She moved her right hand up to his chest, laying it over his heart, "James and Lily are here, just like always. For Harry too. So, they won't miss today."

Sirius gripped her right hand on his chest with his free one. His gray eyes bore into hers intently, less than a foot away. Still holding her gaze, he brought her hand to his lips, placing a soft, lingering kiss on her palm. Hermione was suddenly breathless.

"You're an amazing woman, Hermione." Sirius murmured, lowering their hands, but not letting go. "Sometimes I feel like you're the only person who really knows me."

Hermione unconsciously leaned toward him, wanting nothing more in that moment than for him to kiss her.

Suddenly, he seemed to snap back to himself, stepping away and dropping her hands. Hermione, cheeks burning with embarrassment now, took her own step back.

"Umm, Gin-Ginny forgot the rings this morning," she fumbled, holding out the box with Ginny's ring. "I told her I would take care of it."

Sirius took the box from her, slipping it in his pocket.

"I should be getting back to the Burrow. I'll see you at the ceremony," she said. Sirius nodded, brow furrowed.

The bonding ceremony had been beautiful, in the back garden of the Burrow, overlooking the flowering fields of Ottery St. Catchpole.

Hermione tried desperately to ignore the fluttering in her stomach and the catch in her breath every time she looked at Sirius throughout the ceremony. When it came time to walk back up the aisle with him, she slipped her hand into his offered arm, but avoided looking at him.

The reception started off beautifully as well. The large tent was decorated with flowers, lanterns, and twinkling lights. Dinner was delicious, and Harry and Ginny looked every bit a blissfully happy newlywed couple during their first dance. When the floor was opened up to other couples, Hermione was both hopeful and dreading that Sirius may ask her to dance as best man and maid of honor, but he didn't approach her, and it wasn't long before Ron lead her out onto the dance floor. She danced her way through most of the men in her extended family, but still no Sirius.

In fact, she hadn't seen much of him at all after dinner. She knew he had danced for a few songs; she had seen him with both Ginny and Tonks. The last time she had seen him, he had been deep in conversation with Remus. It had looked like they were having a disagreement, and she saw Sirius stalk out of the tent.

As the night wore on and people got further into their cups, the dancing because messier and wilder, so Hermione decided to take a breather and walk down to the pond. As soon as the pond came into view, she saw she wasn't the only one who had the same idea.

She couldn't see very well in the dim moonlight, but she knew instantly it was Sirius. She almost turned around and walked back, her embarrassment over their earlier encounter still fresh in her mind, but she was suddenly worried about him. His melancholy earlier in the day and his obvious argument with Remus had driven him out here, and she wanted to make sure he was alright.

He spun around at the sound of her approach. She saw instantly that he had drank too much that night. He still had a glass in his hand, and he was unsteady on his feet, the spinning motion making him stumble slightly. He caught himself quickly as he watched her come closer.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked. His voice was clear and steady, though low, telling Hermione that while he had certainly drank more than his share, he wasn't completely drunk. Not yet at least.

"I was getting some air. What about you?" Hermione asked.

"Same. Remus thought I was being too irrational. He thought the night air would knock some sense into me."

Hermione stopped a few feet in front of him, "What does Remus think you're being irrational about?"

He didn't answer at first. He brought his glass to his lips and drained it, then leaned down to set it on the ground. "You," he stated.

"Me? How are you being irrational about me?"

Sirius laughed bitterly, "According to Remus, I am unable to act rationally when it comes to you."

Hermione just stood there, dumbfounded.

"You see, he knows how I feel about you. How I've felt about you for months now. But he doesn't think I should tell you. Thinks that if I tell you, it will ruin everything. But I don't think it will."

"Sirius, what-"

He cut her off, "I know it won't ruin everything, because I know you feel the same. You don't say it, but I know you do."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Hermione said, shaken.

He stepped closer to her, raising a hand up and brushing the back of it across her cheek "I know because no matter what words might be coming out of your mouth, you always blush around me," Hermione's cheeks instantly betrayed her, though she doubted he'd be able to see in the dim light. "And I know you wanted me to kiss you earlier today at Grimmauld Place."

Hermione mentally shook herself, "You must have had much more to drink than I thought."

Sirius made a frustrated sound and shook his head turning away, "Don't do that Hermione! Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about!"

Hermione felt her own frustration rise. This was not how she pictured this sort of conversation with him going. "I don't know what you're talking about! Are you telling me that you're attracted to me? Care about me? What? How am I supposed to react to that, when you've never given me any indication that you saw me as anything other than a friend?"

He turned back toward her so suddenly, she jumped back. He closed the distance between them quickly, and before she could think, his lips were on hers, one hand behind her neck, the other around her waist.

She had often imagined what kissing him would be like, but reality was so much better. His mouth moved against hers expertly, teasing her and leaving her weak kneed and clinging to him. She was completely overcome, all of her senses attuned the man whose arms she was in. She couldn't have pulled away from him if she wanted to. It was perfect.

When he finally pulled back, Hermione almost stumbled at the sudden loss. She rested her forehead against his chest, grasping the front of his robes.

She felt him kiss her hair, then he leaned down to whisper, "Is that indication enough?

She looked up at his face, mere inches away from hers, "Why are you doing this, Sirius? You are the consummate playboy! How could you have possibly fallen for me?!"

He smiled softly and traced her jaw with his finger, "You know I'm not like that anymore. When I first came back, I felt like that's all I really had. It was a way for me to let loose and have fun without worrying about tomorrow. But life changed. I resettled in my relationships, my job, and my home. I don't need to seek comfort in some strange woman's arms. Please tell me you know that. Know I don't do that anymore?"

"Yes," Hermione breathed, beginning to regain her senses. Now she was beginning to feel giddy.

"A lot of that is because of you too. I've known for a while how I feel about you, but I didn't want to come to you a homeless lay about. I wanted to be someone you could be proud of."

Hermione brought her hands to his face, cupping his cheeks. "I am proud of you! You've come so far in such a short time, after having lost so much. I think you've done wonderfully.

And you're right. I-I do have feelings for you." She had almost said she loved him, but realizing he hadn't actually said those words yet, she had hesitated.

He kissed her lips quickly, lightly, then rested his forehead against hers, "I love you, Hermione."

Hermione's breath left her lungs in a whoosh and she pressed herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his lips down to hers.

"I love you, too," she whispered after they pulled apart.

He let out a shaky laugh, "I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that. I was worried for a minute Remus was right and it was a bad idea to do this tonight."

Suddenly Hermione was nervous, "Does he not approve? Not that it matters I guess, but I never really considered what our friends would think. What if they hate it? What if Harry hates us being together? Oh God, what is Harry going to say?!"

Sirius silenced her rambling with another kiss, "Remus doesn't disapprove! And Harry won't either. Don't worry about it. Remus just wanted me to be sure I was ready for commitment. He knows you're not the kind of woman to do things by halves, and I don't think he trusted that I was ready to start something with you. But I am. I swear I am."

"I believe you, and I-I trust you."

Sirius smiled, "A long time ago, I asked you to dance with me and you turned me down. How good do you think my chances are if I asked you to dance with me tonight?"

"I'd say they are pretty good," Hermione paused, then she couldn't help but ask the question that had been on her mind for months. "Sirius, if I hadn't said no that night, do you think things would have gone differently?"

Sirius shrugged, "I honestly don't know. I-I wasn't in a good place back then. But that doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is where we are in this very moment, and where we'll be tomorrow, and the next day. And in this moment, I want to dance for the first time with the woman I love."

He reached out and tugged one of her curls before taking her hand and leading her back to the party.

A/N #2: I hope you loved reading this story as much as I loved writing it! I don't intend on posting an epilogue; however, I did begin writing another story, the first chapter of which has been posted. It's called "Future's Past," and though it's quite different from this story, it's still Hermione x Sirius, so please check it out!