A/N: Not my characters, but the plotline is mine. Enjoy!

Chapter One – The Deal

"Here's to married bliss Hermione," Sirius said, raising his nth glass of Firewhisky. It was expensive, just like everything else in his newly renovated home. No longer did it resemble the baroque grandeur of his childhood; it now had a modern London townhouse charm to it. Scores of visitors came in and out now, filling the house with more laughter and happiness that ever before. Dinner was never a fixed number; Sirius was so used now to random people popping up for dinner that he had taken over cooking duties entirely, giving Kreacher evenings off. It had grated at the old house-elf at first, but when Sirius mentioned that he could do whatever he liked, he had taken up his old hobby of tatting. Sirius had never seen so many fresh doilies around the house.

Hermione had surprised him that night however, by just turning up. She never came over unannounced, even if Sirius told her that she could. He made her dinner and now they were in his study enjoying a drink together.

They decided to drink to her being newly engaged to Ron, after nearly six years of being together. After Voldemort, there was no question of their feelings for each other and they had indeed made up for lost time over their courtship. Ron had popped the question about a week ago and of course everybody knew she would say yes. Yet, a niggling feeling remained in her.

He put the glass to his lips and took a sip, noticing that Hermione remained silent. "Why so quiet? Isn't it what you want?" he asked.

Her head was bowed, tilted to the side. Her glass was still in her lap, the amber liquid remaining untouched. "Why they call it that, I wonder," she mused. "Isn't it a lifetime of spending your waking moments with the one you love, living happily ever after and all that jazz?" he asked.

"Exactly, but it makes you wonder why there aren't that many happy marriages these days," she replied, finally sipping at her drink. Sirius did not miss how she didn't wince at the burning liquor; weaker wizards usually stayed away from the stuff.

He reached between them to pick up the crystal decanter between them and tilted it towards his glass. "You want to know a secret?" he asked. She looked at him, surprised. Sirius had no secrets, as far as she was concerned. He told her everything, from every escapade during his Hogwarts days to the last sexual conquest, often in lurid detail.

But what the heck. She knew enough about him not to be surprised anymore. "Go on. I've had enough to drink to not care about what you tell me," she said, preferring her class for a refill. He obliged, and with the most casual air mentioned, "I nearly got married once,"

Maybe she didn't know everything. "You? Married? Hell must have had a cold snap that day," she mused, leaning back in surprise. Sirius chuckled. Oh, she always knew what to say to make him laugh. "Nothing so dramatic, I'm afraid. She was someone I met at the Ministry, Venus Whippleworthy. Old family friend, one of the few people I could tolerate and talk to during those boring Pureblood get-togethers."

"I was fresh out of Hogwarts then. I was working as an intern at the Department of the Care and Control of Magical Creatures while she was the new secretary for the Junior Secretary of the Department of International Relations. She'd pass by my desk on the way to the kitchen for tea so of course I'd follow her there. In time, the kitchen proved to be more than just heating up the jug," he added with a devious wink. Hermione knew better than to indulge him; it was just part of his womanising charm. "I think we've established a long time ago that you have a penchant for quickies in public areas. I'd hate to think about the health codes you two violated in that kitchen," she shuddered.

"Oh there was plenty of violating going on in there, just not of the health code sort," he smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Then what happened?"

"Then, nothing. I asked her to marry me and she said no. Said that I was good for a fun time but she wasn't of the marrying mind when I asked. A few months later she was pregnant with the baby of my boss. And then I got conveniently arrested and sent to Azkaban, so thirteen years was quite a while to forgive and forget," he finished. "Last I heard her youngest had just gotten out of Hogwarts," he added, as an afterthought.

Hermione let a breath out. "I would never have thought that I'd hear about how there was one woman in this world who would say no to you," she said, taking a sip. Sirius nodded. "It wasn't such a big loss really; I just assumed that asking someone to marry you came after dating. Now that I think about it, we probably would have driven each other up the wall after the first six months,"

"Huh. And the point of this was?" Hermione asked. "The point is kitten, is that we are hardly ever fully informed about our partners until after the honeymoon period. We go into marriage thinking that we are getting what we want when in reality, we are just settling for what we think is best at the moment. Some of us escape that trap while others are meant to be bound in unholy matrimony to the biggest mistake of their lives," he said, with a rather poetic finish.

Oh how he had hit the nail on the head. Hermione couldn't even answer him. She had fallen into a comfortable routine with Ron, one that could be easily predicted. It had never occurred to her to break up with him and look for someone who excited. If it wasn't broken, why fix it, she had always told herself.

"I've touched a nerve there, haven't I?" Sirius observed. Hermione slowly nodded, not meeting his gaze. He reached over and patted her knee. "Go on, tell me about it," he nudged.

"A little more liquid courage, I think," she said, offering her glass. As he filled it, she started. "I just wonder sometimes if there is more to a relationship than dirty briefs on the floor and unwashed porridge bowls in the kitchen sink," she said, taking a deep sip as soon as the glass was filled.

Sirius raised an eyebrow but let her continue. "Is it supposed to be comfortable Sirius? Waking up to mornings knowing that Ron's asleep next to you and that he will be asleep when you crawl into bed at night? And knowing that that routine will never be broken?" she asked.

"Comfortable is for oldies like me. We like routine because it's stable and takes a helluva lot less energy," he answered. "But at your age, you should be looking at fiery, passionate, can't-keep-your-hands-off-each-other horny…all of that. Don't you have that with Ron?"

She shook her head and took another sip. "We were like that at first, but now it's just, well, comfortable. Nothing to shake things up. I know everything about Ron and he can very nearly tell when I'm on my period."

"I commend him, no man should ever be expected to tell when a woman's on that time of the month. It smacks of complete and utter submission," Sirius sagely nodded. He noticed her about to counter that when he raised a hand. "Answer me this Hermione: how are things in the bedroom?"

At this point, Hermione had indulged in enough Firewhisky to not care anymore. "You could set an alarm to it."

Sirius inwardly chuckled and then pursed his lips together. A silence fell, the clink of glass the only sound between them. "I think you need a little excitement in your life Hermione. Just to be sure that you know what you're getting into," he said.

She waved a dismissing hand. "I've tried everything with Ron. Whips, costumes and blindfolds. Nothing's new anymore," she said.

Sirius' face was stony as he leaned his forearms on his lap towards her. "I wasn't suggesting it with Ron,"

That caught her attention. "I don't understand," was all she could say.

"I'm suggesting that you experience what it should and could be. With me,"

When she didn't answer he went on. "It doesn't have to be anything; just you and me having a discreet affair before you get married. I'd hate to see you missing out just because you decide to settle for being comfortable with Ron."

"Are you suggesting I cheat on my fiancée?" she demanded.

"Technically, yes. And I know you want to," he said. Hermione could not deny him this, but she was still outraged. She stood up and started collecting her things, wobbling a little all the way. Sirius stood to grab her arms gently, forcing her to stop moving. "Get your hands off me Sirius, I mean it," she hissed.

"Like you mean you're happy when you tell people you're engaged?" he said, looking her straight in the eye. She couldn't move and was forced to meet his gaze. Those scrutinising grey eyes bore through all her arguments, leaving a large gaping hole in her reasoning.

"I won't force you Hermione, but neither will I allow you to go on unhappy and unfulfilled. Consider it a wedding present," he whispered in her ear. Oh how his Firewhisky-scented breath lured her. His breath tickled the hollow beneath her ear and goosebumps started in her arms.

She wanted it. By gods, did she want it. She had always secretly wondered what sleeping with Sirius would be like, after hearing about all those women and what they got up to. He certainly looked like he would satisfy a woman, all lean muscle and smouldering sex appeal. Sex with Ron was no longer fulfilling; most of the time it felt like just another chores. And Sirius was somewhat right; she did want to feel passion and urgency again, at least one more time before going back to a lifetime of routine.

Funny that. Her whole life was structured around schedules and lists but this proposal of breaking the rules sounded most tantalising.

If it's not broken, why fix it?

Fuck that. "Nobody can find out," she whispered.

"We'll be two steps ahead of everybody, something a brainiac like you can handle," he smiled, inwardly cracking open another Firewhisky at her acquiescence. She looked up at him. "It's over when I say it's over. And no drama or commitment," she went on. "Sounds like a perfect deal, I suggest you stop," he teased, nuzzling her neck.

"And you have to promise not to criticise," she finished, putting her arms around Sirius' waist and tilting her head back to allow him better access. "I promise," he breathed against her neck.

"Then we have an accord," she said. "Shall we seal it with a kiss?" Sirius asked, drawing back to look at her, a faint smile on his lips.

"Cheesy, Sirius," she said, smiling back but kissing him lightly anyway. It felt like electricity and she immediately stepped back.

"That's that then. I'll see you on Friday?" she breathed, pulling on her coat.

"Friday it is," he grinned, amused. She pulled out a pinch of Floo powder and stepped towards the fireplace. She opened her mouth to say something but decided on saying, "Good night you," before disappearing in a cloud of green flame.

Sirius watched the embers glow in the fire and wondered if he was making a mistake by propositioning her. He was after all, older and therefore responsible for them both. His gut however told him that he was doing the right thing, that it was just as much Hermione's decision as it was his. He was doing her a favour, he said. And he would finally be getting what he wanted.