Remus was brushing the curly hair from his bearded chin as they finished watching some rom-com she insisted on watching. She was curled up ever so cutely against him as Sirius lounged on the other side of the sofa. Her flat seemed bare after they worked some more once they returned from dinner. However, it still was welcoming. Her chest was rising and falling in a deep pattern as she slept.

Her curvy body was warm, and her legs had hooked around Sirius's thigh. "She needs a bath," Sirius mused as he flipped through his phone.

"She still smells nice," Remus murmured.

The studious man ran his fingers over her cheek in beguilement. Hermione was so peaceful and absolutely beautiful. When did this become his train of thought? When did he become so very attached to this sweet girl? Sirius just glanced over at him and nodded. "I know," he mumbled and rubbed the dainty foot lounging on his thigh.

"We need to take care of her, Pads," Remus whispered.

Sirius nodded and handed him the phone. "Regulus just sent me this."

Bring her by tomorrow. He texted, and Remus quietly groaned. "Why?"

"Who knows," Sirius huffed as he rolled his eyes. "Likely some spoiled pampering or shite. You know how he gets."

Remus retraced her locks and exhaled. "I really don't want to…"

"Well, you can't just play alpha man in her life, Moony. Neither one of us can. She is going to be allotted to decide what makes her happiest if you insist we aren't supposed to do anything."

Remus smelt her hair and nodded subtly. "I know, Pads," he breathed.

Sirius ran his fingers up the woman's calf, and she stirred. "Love, why don't you go shower, and we'll head out," he suggested as she stretched into Remus.

"No, don't go," she grumbled and huffed.

Remus ran a hand over her shoulder and hemmed. "Did you want to come over with Crookshanks? We have a wonderful spare room on the top floor."

Hermione glanced over at Sirius with bleary eyes and yawned. "You want me to come over?" she said through it.

"Only if you want to, sweetheart."

Hermione nodded and curled into Remus's arm further. "That sounds nice. I'm sure Harry will be relieved I'm not going to walk into the door this late."

Sirius laughed and smiled. "Yes, he might."

She climbed off the couch and stretched. "Let me just jump in for a quick one, and I'll be out shortly."

Hermione bunched her arms closer to her torso as she walked into her bedroom. Remus listened to her shuffle, and his nose twitched. Sirius arched an eyebrow with a stifled smirk. The orange feline jumped up on the couch with a loud meow. Remus reached out and stroked the animal as he exhaled. "Sirius, she can't move in yet."

"I know, Moony," Sirius replied as he stretched out toward the man and cat. "You'll just about die."

"Says the wanker who prances around like a puppy when she asked you to help her," Remus retorted, fingering his facial hair.

Sirius chuckled with a shrug of his shoulders. "Well, it makes her happy."

The stormy-eyed man's body slumped against Remus's lap as his fingers pet the cat that crawled around him shifting. It was quite a bit of comfortable silence between the two marauders as they doted on their feline friend. Remus finally chuckled and patted his friend's shoulder. "You're a dog with a taste for pussy, Pads," Remus snickered with a smirk.

Sirius snorted with a wide grin. "Oh, yes. As I remember, you do too, with wolfish delight."

Remus groaned and smacked his friend's shoulder gently. "You're just a tosser."

"She'll be back at Harry's tomorrow, and we're going out for drinks."

The awkward man just nodded. "Yes, let's."

Sirius arched an eyebrow and shifted her lips. "Wait, why do you agree with me finally?" He asked with a pout.

"Because sometimes instinct out-ways passion," Remus mumbled, running fingertips through his brown hair.

Sirius moaned while shoving him. "Shut up; you aren't going to let the need to stick your cock in something stop you from pining for that girl."

"How about you bend over and make it easier on me then, Pads," Remus teased with a wink, causing the other man to yank his body away.

"Not on my life, Moony. You would tear my arse. We haven't tried that in years," Sirius huffed, pushing the laughing scarred man.

A voice cleared, and they turned to see Hermione in the doorway. "Well, maybe I should have listened to Ginny. I didn't figure you both lovers," the woman said dryly, but her smile outweighed her tone.

Remus's was trying to hiding his blush by rubbing his jawline with one of his hands. "Well, perhaps we should get going?"

Hermione shifted her posture, and her smile grew impish. "Remus, are you being bashful?"

Sirius sneered and rolled his eyes. "When isn't he shying away from jokes and jeering?"

Remus pushed him with a growl. "Don't be a wanker, Pads." He mumbled while his eyes swiveled.

The dark-haired man waved the woman over. "Tell him that I'm right."

"You're wrong, Sirius," Hermione murmured.

"I know that I'm always right," Sirius ignored her as she approached.

"You're wrong, Sirius," she repeated.

"That he is so awkward it's almost charming," Sirius taunted with a grin.

"Well," Hermione huffed as she stopped in front of them while folding her arms over his chest. "You're not wrong on that."

Remus hemmed, tugging at his collar. "Alright, well, can we go?"

Hermione laughed and shook her damp hair. "Remus, you're awkward, and you know it. We both are. The only reason your wanker best mate isn't is that he hides it fairly well."

"Exactly," Sirius said and then frowned. "Wait, what?"

"Anyway, I texted Ginny and let her know I will see her tomorrow. I expect you to be respectable, Sirius," Hermione declared with a nod and paced over to the cat carrier. "Now, let's head over."

It was an interesting turn of events when they got back to Grimmauld Place. Hermione got comfortable in the library as she and Remus were reading. She had begun to do small things like leaning against Remus and curl into his form. It was subconscious as far as the older man could tell and grew even more uncomfortable despite his secretive enjoyment.

When she did fall asleep, Remus took the curvy woman up to the final floor and placed her in bed. Only then did the man tuck his figurative tail between his legs and head down to his own room; avoiding his best friend's questioning expression on the way down.

"Moony, don't forget your tissues," Sirius called through the door as he heard the man ascend to the top floor.

The next morning was even more dysfunctional for the bookish man as he woke up and walked into the kitchen to see the woman standing at the stove. Hermione was cooking in one of Sirius's large t-shirts and short shorts. The dark-haired man was sitting at the counter and sipping a teacup.

"Sirius, tell me something," Hermione said as she flipped hotcakes on the pan.

"Yes, darlin'?"

"You aren't going to fatten my cat up are you?" Hermione questioned him.

Remus watched his friend leering at the young woman. Sirius knew Remus was standing there with a stern stare, but he hardly cared as he was briefly fantasizing about the girl in his shirt. Not that there wasn't much to fantasize about… she looked delicious.

"Sirius," Hermione repeated sharply.

"Oh, no, sweetheart. No treats," Sirius murmured, licking some of the tea, slash drool, from his lower lip.

Hermione glanced back and noted Remus was standing at the entrance. He was untidy and a bit confused, but she smiled and tilted her head. "Good morning, Remus. Do you feel like tea?"

He beamed at her as his fingers raced through his messy hair. "That might be a good start to the day."

She poured him a cup then fixed it just the way he drank his tea and handed it to him. "Sit, sit. I'm cooking to show you how much I appreciate you both for yesterday. I'm glad I didn't have to be alone," Hermione ordered and motioned him to sit before turning back to the stove.

Remus complied and couldn't help but to notice exactly what his flatmate was salivating over. Hermione's shorts left hints to the imagination and even though the shirt was quite large on the woman's frame, it only assisted the view. The grey material was nestled over her rounded behind, giving full view to the pink pajamas below. Her long curly hair had given so much more to the vision, creating a narrative quite worthy of sin. Bollocks.

"Regulus had texted me today. Sirius, why would your brother know about my reasons for being absent yesterday?" Hermione asked as she was finishing up their breakfast.

"I just told him that you had a rough day," Sirius murmured before sipping his teacup.

"Why the wardrobe change?" Remus questioned, trying to avoid the subject of Regulus.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders as she turned with two plates. "It was lying around, and I felt a bit bare in just a tank top."

Sirius grabbed the pack of cigarettes on the countertop and pulled one out. "It looks good on you, love," he murmured as he put one to his lips.

Her eyes narrowed at him with annoyance flaring in them. "Don't you want to eat first, at least?"

Remus exhaled after sipping his tea. "Hermione, you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Hermione leaned her hands on the counter, and her eyebrow arched in a challenge before turning her vision back to Sirius. "I'll make you a deal, Sirius."

The stormy-eyed man yanked out his lighter, not meeting her glare. "Yes my sickly sweet lady?" he said through his clamped lips around the cancerous stick.

"I will let you see me in those cute knickers you were clamoring about at that store if you quit smoking. You'll have to prove you haven't had one in three months before then."

The lighter hung in the air in front of the lit cigarette as his eyes grew, meeting her challenging ones. "Wait, you mean, just the knickers, love?"

"Yes," Hermione smirked, her hands resting on her hips.

Sirius pulled the cigarette from his lips and put it out in the ashtray. The pack dashed across the counter and fell in front of her. "Most certainly a deal, sweetheart," Sirius said, holding out his hand for her.

"Three months," she said as she took his hand in hers and shook it.

"Three months," he echoed with a broad smile.

"Not one cigarette, Sirius," she warned.

"Not even a puff," He affirmed as their hands pulled apart. "Joke's on you, love. I have quit before."

Hermione tilted her head at Remus who hemmed. "Not for three months, Pads," he murmured as he cut into his hotcakes.

Her phone rang and brought the moment to a close. "Hello, mum?" she answered and listened intently as she was fixing her own plate.

"Oh, hey dad," her voice became light and lovely. "No, of course, I'm glad you called. I've just got packing planned today." Hermione paused again as she tilted her head further. "I mean, I could, but I have plenty to do before Monday." She was moving her plate to the other side of Remus while her eyes were unfocused as the muffled voice was speaking. "Yes, alright. I know mum would be put out if I didn't show up. No, I'll just finish it tomorrow. It's alright. I'll see you both tonight. Goodbye." She hung up as she set her teacup down.

Slumping next to Remus, she sighed as the man on the other side of the counter frowned. "Hermione, that was your dad?" He asked with a puzzled look.

She shook her head and groaned. "No, that's Ginny's dad. He and Molly took to being second parents of mine after my parents died in a plane crash. They were coming from Australia after a quick holiday. That was a rough year before I graduated, so Molly and Arthur let me stay with them to finish out my year at Hogwarts. I've hardly spent their life insurance money." She explained as she cut up her breakfast. "I could if I wanted to, but I've been using it for my education. They always told me to get a good education and make something of myself."

"So, what did he want you to do?" Remus questioned as he rubbed her shoulder for comfort.

Hermione sighed, glancing up at him. "They want me to come to dinner tonight. Charlie and Bill are in town, so they're having a family get together."

"Lovely, how much are you worth?" Sirius asked with a frown.

Hermione laughed shaking her head. "Does that matter, Sirius?"

Remus was motioning disagreement, but Sirius snorted. "Well, curiosity is a flaw of mine," The dark-haired man sighed.

"More than I care to announce. After I pay for the rest of my schooling, likely enough to start my non-profit up. Nowhere near what you and your brother are worth, so don't worry."

"We can help you finish packing if you want our assistance. Family is important," Remus said, ignoring the man behind him.

"Non-profit? Darlin' don't you want to be surrounded by rich men who fawn over you?" Sirius questioned with a broad smile.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "If I wanted that don't you think I would have gone out with you already?" Hermione retorted but turned to Remus who was quite visually annoyed. "As for your offer, Remus, I don't want you to slave over my things. Mostly I just need to pack my clothes and ask Hagrid if I could use his truck. I didn't want to have to figure out the who storage bin situation in a rush tomorrow."

"No need, I already told Moony you were bringing your things here," Sirius declared, waving dismissal at her suggestion.

"Sirius, I'm not going to store my things in your garage." Hermione replied with a knitted brow.

Sirius ignored her and yanked out his phone. He dialed on it before clearing his throat. "Kid, meet us at Hermione's in an hour. She has to go to dinner tonight with your wife's folks and won't have time to move the furniture tomorrow. Let's get it into my garage before she finds a useless argument to spending money on storage." He paused as Hermione squeaked in aggravation.

"Sirius Black!" She shouted as her face changed color.

"Yeah? Of course, we'll come. I haven't seen Molly in ages!" Sirius exclaimed with a bright smile. "See you and your lovely wife in an hour." He stated and hung up. "Seems we are going to dinner tonight as well. Mind as well get to finishing the bulk of your move today, sweetheart." Sirius stated with a toss of his hair.

"You can't just make choices for people, Sirius! That isn't how this works. You are unbelievable and rude!" Hermione screamed as she stood up. "I'm not just one of your tarty girls. I deserve respect!" She voiced then stomped from the room.

Remus shoved the man in frustration and groaned. "Padfoot, you can't just do that!" He hissed as the jostled man righted himself.

Sirius forked some of his breakfast up and chewed it; a smug expression rested on his face. "I can and I just did. If I'm going to see that girl in those lacy knickers, I'm going to make sure I have collateral."

"Sirius, she's never going to move in with two old randy blokes, you know that, right?" Remus asked as his posture deflated.

The dark-haired man rose an eyebrow in mild amusement. "Moony, I have to ask; when are you going to tell that girl you are insanely infatuated with her? I hope you do before my brother or someone else attempts it. She may dodge attachment about as much as you do, but it won't take much for her to seek it when she does." Sirius pondered as Remus scowled at him.

"Don't be dim, Pads. She is far too young and too sweet for either of us. Your brother least of all," Remus snarled, stabbing at his food. "You remember Molly's temper. Imagine the gossip of that."

Sirius sighed with a small curl to his lips. "Ah, yes, what a wonderful hot mess that woman is. I think it would be marvelous to convince her that I'm going to seduce her adopted daughter. In fact, that would be the highlight of my night."

"Don't you dare, Sirius. Hermione doesn't deserve that, and you know it."

"I'll plant one on her lips, right in front of Molly," Sirius jeered then sipped his tea. "Yes, that would be wild."

A meow announced Crookshanks arrival as he jumped on the counter. "Good morning, Crooks," Remus murmured and pet the cat as he wandered by him.

The furball approached Sirius's plate and the man offered him a bit of his bacon. "There you go, Toby. Don't tell your mum we still do this."

"Sirius, please don't embarrass her," Remus sighed, scrubbing roughly at his face with his fingers.

"Ask her out on a date, and I promise I won't," Sirius pressed as he handed the purring feline another bit of food.

"If you promise to behave, I will ask her after dinner tonight," Remus conceded with a pout to his lips.

"Marauder's honor, Moony?" Sirius inquired, helping the cat off the bar.

"Marauder's honor," Remus echoed with a nod.

Sirius stood up and took his half-empty plate from the counter. "Good, then I will be impeccably polite."