Agh, I know... I suck. I think I updated this last in like... December. I just got side tracked... started writing Twilight fanfiction. You know. Well, I hope this chapter makes up for a two month dry spell. Enjoy!
"And then?" urged Ginny.
"And then he brought me here, kissed me goodnight, and left. Really, there's nothing more to it than that," explained Hermione for the umpteenth time that night.
"Wow... Sirius Black," murmured Ginny.
"Yeah." Hermione really wasn't into gossiping, and she really was feeling tired. "You know, Gin, I think it's time for me to go to sleep. It's been a... long day," she finished lamely.
"Okay," sighed Ginny.
As she prepared for bed, Hermione couldn't help but let her thoughts wander back to the kiss from Sirius. Her lips still tingled.
She climbed into the sheets and closed her eyes.
"Night, Hermione," whispered Ginny.
"Night," answered Hermione.
-----
As he was buried comfortably in the sheets, Sirius let his mind drift. The kiss he shared with Hermione, it was definitely something that he'd remember for quite some time. Yes, the age difference was something that a lot of people, especially in the wizarding world, would have a hard time digesting. But Hermione was so different from all the other women he knew. She was so bright, beautiful... He could care less what other people thought.
The memory of her lips on his, it was one he'd dream about, no doubt. He slipped into sleep, still thinking about his perfect night.
-----
Hermione yawned into consciousness. She looked out the window and was surprised to see how high in the sky the sun was. She quickly changed into day clothes, got ready for the day, and went to get some breakfast.
"Late night?" asked Molly, standing at the sink.
"Sort of," replied Hermione. She wasn't exactly sure if she wanted to dish all the gory details out just yet.
"You got an owl from Sirius earlier today, it's on the table," said Molly, gesturing to an unopened letter on the table.
"Thanks." Hermione moved swiftly to the table to retrieve the parchment.
Hermione,
Lunch would be nice, don't you think? Be here at noon.
-- Sirius
Hermione smiled. From any other person, she would have thought the message to be rude. But it was different coming from Sirius.. "What time is it?" she asked.
"Almost 11:30," answered Molly.
Hermione looked wearily around the house, spooked by it's eerie emptiness.
"Where is everyone?"
"They're out playing Quidditch. They never can seem to be away from a broom for more than five minutes," complained Molly. "You know, tonight is your last night here. You aren't even sleeping over tonight! How would you like me to cook you a special dinner?"
"That would be lovely," smiled Hermione. "But, I need to... go for a little bit."
"Where?" questioned Molly, never giving up a piece of potential gossip.
"I need to talk to Sirius about some things..." said Hermione, not exactly lying.
"Oh, alright dear." She knew when to draw the line.
At 12:55, Hermione found herself pacing in front of the fireplace. She'd grown impatient and wanted to be with Sirius as soon as possible. She'd grown rather attached to him in the short time he'd been back. Maybe it was the way he always made her smile, the way he always made her laugh. Maybe it was the way that she felt better whenever he was around. Whatever it was, Hermione knew it was serious.
As soon as it was one, she threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace, and was gone.
Sirius was waiting for her on the other side.
"Hello," he smiled, opening his arms.
Hermione moved into his embrace. He bent his head to hers and they shared quite a long greeting kiss.
"What's for lunch?" asked Hermione.
"I thought we'd go out," replied Sirius.
"Where to?"
"It's a surprise!" He took her hand and led her out the front door. "You're completely safe, of course," he reassured her.
"Okay," said Hermione. She always felt safe when she was around Sirius.
The air was cool, breezy against their faces as they walked down the street. Nobody was walking, it was just them on the sidewalk. They walked without talking until Sirius pulled Hermione into a little street cafe. They took a seat at one of the little tables.
"So, I've been thinking," said Hermione.
"Of course you have," laughed Sirius.
"How are we going to tell people?" she asked. Hermione knew that her friends and family would probably not approve of her and Sirius' relationship.
"Hmm... I have no idea. Maybe we should just tell them? It seems like the easiest thing to do. I mean, they'll find out when I wont be able to take my hands off you, but I think we should give them a bit of a warning, yeah?"
Hermione had to suppress a giggle when he said he wouldn't keep his hands off her. It was unlike her to giggle, and she wasn't sure she wanted to start now.
"When should we do it?" she asked.
"As soon as possible. I don't want to have to sneak around. Besides, if we don't tell Molly, she'll find out from someone else... and we all know what would happen then."
Hermione was quiet, thinking about how badly Sirius would be hurt by a flying frying pan.
"Ow," she murmured.
"My thought exactly," he smiled. "But, if we tell her, maybe her reaction won't be as severe."
"Should we do it today?" asked Hermione. She could imagine the faces of her friends... her stomach dropped.
"I think we should do it when we leave here," said Sirius. Hermione was afraid that's what he would say.
Sirius knew that face. It was Hermione's nervous face. "Are you still hungry?" he asked quietly.
"Not particularly," she answered. She didn't want anybody to be mad at Sirius for being with her. Sure, they could be mad at her, but being mad at Sirius was out of the question.
"Should we just go tell them now?" Sirius knew that it was going to be a hard thing for Hermione's friends to grip. Harry, he would probably the least accepting of them all. Sirius had been like a father to him, after all.
Hermione nodded, calculating every possible outcome. Best case scenario, everyone would be happy for them. Worst case scenario, Molly would hit Sirius with a pan...
Sirius stood up and took Hermione's hand. He rubbed soothing circles in it as they walked back to the house.
When they stepped in the front door, they almost ran into Draco Malfoy. His mouth fell open when he saw their hands.
"I can't believe it," he gasped.
"Get a grip, Malfoy," retorted Hermione. She was definitely not in the mood for any of his games.
They walked past him to the fireplace. "You first," whispered Hermione. Sirius nodded, stepped into the fireplace, and was gone.
"Hermione, will you come here for a minute?" asked Draco. Hermione went over to where he was standing.
"What do you want?" she questioned.
"You," he whispered. He took her face in his hands and forcefully pressed his lips to hers. He forced his tongue into her mouth.
She pushed him off. "How dare you?!" she screeched. "Never touch me again, okay Malfoy? I swear, if you come near me I will hex your face off!"
He smiled. "You know you liked it," he laughed.
"You are an insufferable rodent!" she screamed. She ran to the fireplace, and in a massive puff of floo powder, was standing at the burrow.
Sirius was waiting. "What took you so lo-"
He was interrupted by Ron. "Sirius said you had something to tell us." Ginny, Harry, and Molly were also in the room.
"You might want to sit down," said Hermione, her voice shaking because of what happened just seconds before she got there. Her encounter with Draco had shaken her up quite a bit.
They all took seats at the kitchen table. Hermione preferred to stand. Sirius stood behind her, one hand on her shoulder.
"What's wrong?" asked Harry, a worried gleam in his eye.
Hermione looked to Sirius for strength. He nodded.
"Sirius and I," she paused, looking at every face at the table. "Are seeing each other."
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