Disclaimer: Joe Rowling is a genius and I own NOTHING!

Chapter 25

"But I'm Not Telling Ron"

Hermione and Ginny headed to town to get their hair done before Christmas, which was in two days, and Ginny still wanted to go shopping. Plus, the girls didn't want to want to be around when Harry heard from Sirius about everything.

At the house Sirius was sitting in the back garden, in the snow, thinking. True it was cold, but the cold made him think clearer. He loved Hermione so much, but he didn't know how to tell Harry.

"Sirius, dear," Mrs. Weasley said out the back door, "Harry's looking for you."

"Ok. Thanks Molly."

Sirius stood up with a sigh, wishing he didn't have to do this, but it was time. He walked into the house and headed for the living room, which would be the easiest place to talk about this. Sitting down on the couch, he tried to think of what he would say. When Harry came walking in, he decided to make the first move.

"Sit down Harry, I believe we need to talk."

"You're right Sirius, we do need to talk."

"What do you need to know Harry? I promise to be nothing but truthful."

"What's going on between you and Hermione?"

"Well we've been seeing each other for most of the school year. And, I am glad to say are very much in love. I know that this may be hard for you to believe, or accept. But Harry it's the truth. I would like to say that if you don't approve than I will end it with her, but I can't say that Harry. I love her too much, and she loves me. She is the type of woman I've been looking for, for Merlin knows how long. She gave with love when I needed it most. Yes, Dumbledore brought me back from the other side of the veil, but it was Hermione that gave me my life back. I don't want to loose you Harry, but I don't think I could loose Hermione either."

Sirius finished, and waited for Harry to say something. They sat in silence for a long time as Harry sat and thought. Finally Harry spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why did I have to ask you about it?"

"Harry you have to understand, we both wanted to tell you, but neither of us wanted to hurt you and didn't knowhow you would react. Plus, she a student and I'm a teacher. This is more against the rules than when we snuck out of the castle with Lupin when I was in school. If this got out in the wrong way. I wanted to tell you, I really did."

"Who initiated it?"

"She did. Trust me Harry, I in no way forced any of this upon her. I would never and could never do anything of the sort."

Again Harry sat in silence, thinking. Sirius kept shifting his weight, nervously. Waiting for what Harry would say next. He hoped against hope that Harry wouldn't bring up sex. He didn't want to talk about his having sex with Hermione with Harry.

"Ok. Well, I need to think about this, alone. We will probably need to talk again soon."

Harry got up from the couch, and walked out of the living room.

Sirius sat there, thinking. He loved Hermione so very much, but he didn't want to loose Harry's love and respect. He hoped Harry didn't hate him. Sirius heard the front door open, and heard giggling. It was Hermione and Ginny, come back from town.

As the girls walked through the living room, they glanced at Sirius.

"Hey Sirius," Ginny said.

"Hey Gin, how was shopping?"

"Oh, you know, shopping. We got some good stuff. Especially for you." Ginny smiled at him and continued walking.

"How was you afternoon Sirius?" Hermione asked.

Sirius looked at Hermione and blinked. She looked amazing, she'd obviously had her hair done and it was different from anything he'd seen her have. It was straight and shorter and darker. She looked amazing, and sultry, and seductive.

"You gonna answer my question, or you just gonna stare?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"Oh, sorry. Your hair just looks amazing. My afternoon was what we expected it to be. I talked to Harry."

"Oh, how'd that go?"

"I'm not sure. He asked a couple of questions, I answered as best I could. Then he said he needed to think and got up and left. That was only about 10 minutes ago."

"I hope it doesn't cause any problems. I don't want it to ruin Christmas."

"Speaking of Christmas, what did you get me?"

"I'm not telling you. You can wait another day to see. But you will have to open it when we're alone. Then we can enjoy it together." Hermione smiled and winked at him, "But now I have to go put this stuff away and get ready for dinner." She walked over to the couch and gave him a kiss. He pulled at her for more, but she pulled away. "Not here, not now love. Later. I promise."

Hermione walked through the house and up the stairs, thinking hard. She knew Harry, now that he had spoken to Sirius he would come and talk to her. He was a person who would reserve judgment till he knew all sides. She didn't want to talk to him about this tonight, she needed some sleep first. But, she smiled to herself, as she realized she probably wouldn't get much tonight either.

She opened the door to Ginny's bedroom, and dropped her stuff on the floor. She started to pull stuff out of the bags to wrap them. The wrapping paper she bought for Sirius was completely inappropriate but she put a spell on it to make it look normal to anyone but him, and Ginny. Ginny would love the paper. She started wrapping the lingerie she had bought "for him," along with some other fun things. She enjoyed wrapping presents, it was relaxing and it gave her some kind of artistic outlet. Plus her perfectionist ways could be relieved in present wrapping.

She was wrapping presents when she heard a knock on the door. She knew who it was, but didn't want it to be him.

"Who is it?" She asked, hoping.

"It's Harry. We need to talk."

"Ok just one second." She hurriedly put Harry's presents back in their bags, and hid them under Ginny's bed. "Ok come in."

Harry opened the door slowly, as Hermione was still sitting on the floor surrounded by presents.

"What are you up to?" he asked.

"Just wrapping Christmas presents. Enjoying some time alone," she told him, hoping he'd take the hint.

"Oh, is it ok if we talk for a minute?"

"Of course it is Harry, what's up?"

"Don't play dumb Hermione. I know you're not and you know you're not. We need to talk about you and Sirius."

"Oh, right. What do you want to know?"

"Why Sirius, of all people?"

"I love him Harry. I have begun to believe we were made for each other. It's not just some thine we're playing at Harry. It's honest, true love."

"But why Sirius? Why would you even think that would be ok?"

"I didn't think Harry. That's not how love happens. Take you and Ginny for example. Why would you ever think that would be ok? You didn't, love simply happened. It's the same kind of thing Harry, but don't think it was him who initiated it. It was me. I kissed him first. I love him Harry," she finished starting to tear up.

"You know I didn't think of it like that. It is much the same as my relationship with Ginny. Thinking of it that way, I understand why you didn't tell me." Harry sat on the floor across from her, "Leave it to you Hermione to put things in perspective. You're one of my two closest friends Hermione, I just don't want anything bad happening to you. I don't want you to get your heart broken. As much as I don't like it, if Sirius makes you happy than you deserve to be with him. But I'm not telling Ron."

Hermione laughed, in relief and in mirth, "Thank you Harry, I don't think you understand how much that means to me. I will do my best not to do anything with Sirius in front of you that will make you uncomfortable. I love you Harry, you're the closest thing to a brother I will ever have."

She leaned forward and gave Harry a giant hug. It was filled with relief, and not only Hermione's. She could feel his relief as well.

Author's note I hope you like this chapter. It helps to show how they really feel about one another. Enjoy! R&R please :-)

"So," she started as they pulled apart, "How should we tell Ron?"