NINE
24 JUNE 1995
Hermione was too hot. Opening her eyes, she squinted against the early morning sunlight streaming through the window, past the curtains she had forgotten to close last night. Sirius Black had his arms and legs wrapped around her, his head laying on her stomach. She giggled and the movement caused him to open his eyes. He turned his head to look at her, a grin on his face, not letting her out of his embrace.
“Morning, Sirius. See you slept well.”
“Padfoot likes you,” He said, nuzzling into her tummy, causing her to laugh. “I like you,” he whispered, barely loud enough for Hermione to hear, though she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to. Instead of pushing him off, she stroked his hair, letting them have this moment together before the day came rushing in. It was early, before six. Plenty of time before the task.
“Sirius?”
“Mmm?”
“Thank you for staying with me,” Hermione was surprised to find herself unembarrassed by his presence in her bed. Sirius Black had gone from her best friend’s godfather to… well, to whatever he was, in just a few days.
“Anytime,” She could feel his smile against her skin. He gasped, softly, his fingers tracing the thin line of exposed skin between her shirt and pyjama bottoms. “Is this where…” He was touching the dark purple scar that ran across her ribs and up her chest.
“Yes,” Hermione closed her eyes, waiting for the scar to twinge at the touch. But his fingers were light, and no pain came. The rough skin tingled under his touch, feeling something for the first time since the curse struck her. It was no longer numb to the touch. She could feel his callused skin meeting hers softly.
Tears prickled in her eyes and her hands froze in Sirius’ hair.
“I’m sorry, are you alright?” Sirius asked, turning to look at her, “Did that hurt you?”
“Quite the opposite actually,” she smiled at him, though his chin was digging into her stomach, “It hasn’t really been touched in years and whenever it has been touched by me - or others - it hurts. But it didn’t hurt this time.”
“Oh,” Sirius turned to lay his cheek back against her again, “that’s good then.”
“It is,” Hermione whispered.
Sirius yawned, “can we go back to sleep? It’s not even five yet.” Hermione laughed and grabbed her wand from the bedside table. With a small swish, the curtains closed and the room fell into darkness. Sirius breathed a sigh a relief and relaxed further into the bed. Hermione continued to run her hand through his hair, the other resting lightly on his back. Her eyes closed easily, the feeling of safety and warmth he brought her pulling her closer and closer to sleep.
“Hermione?”
“Mmm?” She mimicked his sleepy response.
“Thank you for being here,” Sirius mumbled against her shirt, “ I know you didn’t choose it. I know it’s probably not your first choice in a place to be. But I am… grateful that you’re here. You know, with me.”
“No, I didn’t choose it,” Hermione admitted, “But I wouldn’t change it for anything. I am grateful to be here,” She paused, taking a deep breath, “With you.” She was smiling into the darkness, and she could feel Sirius’ grin against her belly. His hand reached up and clasped her hand. He brought it to his mouth and gently kissed the knuckles, his scruff tickling her fingers. Their hands intertwined and they both fell into slumber once more.
“Shh, shhh, Hermione,” Sirius rocked the young witch gently in his arms. He’d woken moments ago to shrieks and jerks that had thrown him from the bed. They were not shrieks of anguish or terror. They were cries of excruciating pain. The way she twitched in his arms told him that she’d been tortured with the Cruciartus Curse. He knew the spasms well, after living in his house, in his family.
“No! Please!” Hermione pleaded, pushing against him. Sirius held her tighter and smoothed back her sweat dampened hair.
“Hermione, shh, please wake up, love,” he begged her, “Hermione,” With a great shout her eyes flew open. Instead of shoving him away like the first night he’d woken her, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Oh god oh god oh god,” She whimpered.
“Hermione, it’s okay You’re safe. I’m right here, love,” Sirius couldn’t help his voice from catching as emotion welled in his throat.
“I didn’t think this would happen with you here. I thought,” She heaved a great sob, “I thought I was safe.” She pulled him closer and sobbed into his chest. He closed his eyes, pained that he hadn’t kept her safe. That he didn’t know how. To see her so terrified, so inconsolable, made him feel utterly helpless. He just held her as she cried, not knowing what else would comfort her.
When her breathing finally evened out once more she let out a groan.
“What?” asked Sirius, bewildered.
She grumbled against his neck, “This keeps happening.”
“What does?”
“One of us crying in each other's arms.”
“Oh,” Sirius frowned, “Well there’s no denying that we’re fucked up, Granger.” Hermione chuckled and finally pulled herself free from his arms. There was no awkwardness anymore. As if they had always been this close and comfortable with one another.
“ Tempus , ” Hermione muttered, “Merlin, Sirius, it’s almost eleven.”
“Guess we needed the beauty sleep,” He said, laying back against the pillows. He watched as she scrambled to the wardrobe, pulling out clothes. She turned to him.
“Sirius.”
“Hermione.”
“You have to leave. I need to change.”
“Now, when you say ‘have to’...” Sirius grinned.
“I mean get out,” Hermione rolled her eyes, throwing a pair of socks at him. His grin widened as he pushed out of the bed, pulling his t-shirt over his head. Hermione blushed as her eyes wandered over his inked skin.
“Oi, if I can’t, neither can you,” Sirius laughed, throwing his shirt over his shoulder and sauntering from the room. Hermione huffed, though a small smile played at her lips. She wanted to tell fifteen-year-old Hermione that she had just woken up in bed with Sirius Black.
Young Hermione Granger would have pissed herself.
After quickly changing his clothes Sirius made his way downstairs, pausing to listen to Kretcher grumbling in the drawing room.
He pushed the door open to the kitchen and let out a yell.
“Morning, Pads.”
“ Fuck Moony! What the fuck!”
“Seems like you had a nice lie in with Miss Hermione Granger,” Remus taunted, eyebrows raised. Two steaming cups of coffee sat on the table across from him. Tucking his book away, Remus crossed his arms over his chest, staring expectantly at Sirius.
“It’s not what you think,” Sirius insisted, sitting and grabbing the coffee. Remus snorted and shook his head. “It’s not, Moony,” Sirius was looking at Remus, unblinking.
“You’re telling me that Sirius Orion Black didn’t shag the beautiful girl he was in bed with?”
“No, I didn’t. Thanks for the vote of confidence, though,” Sirius muttered.
Remus’ eyes softened, “What’s up, Pads?” Sirius sighed and gazed at his friend.
“She has these nightmares, Remus. They’re bad. Really bad. She screams like she’s being tortured,” Sirius looked down sheepishly, “So I’ve been sleeping outside her door just in case.” Remus sucked in a breath, but Sirius kept talking, “And last night she asked me to stay with her, and it’s not like I could say no. So I did. We slept. We talked.”
“You… talked ?” Remus asked, incredulously.
“Yes, Moony. We talked. I saw the scar on her ribs. We talked about being scared. About how we… appreciated each other.”
“And you’re telling me you didn’t shag?” Remus’ eyes were narrowed.
Sirius glared at him, “No!”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well I don’t care if you don’t believe me, it’s the truth you prick,” Sirius growled at the werewolf across from him. Remus’ eyes flashed silver and he opened his mouth to retort. “I’m not saying I don’t want to!”
“Oh, there it is,” Remus grumbled, rolling his eyes, “Of course you do.”
“What the hell are you bickering about?” Hermione asked, looking between the two of them. The door shut softly behind her and the two men had the grace to look ashamed.
“Nothing,” they said together. Hermione huffed, hands on her hips. Sirius and Remus didn’t look at each other or the woman in front of them.
“Merlin, you two,” she said as she sat next to Sirius. The three of them sat in silence drinking their coffees for several minutes. Hermione noticed Sirius twisting the ring on his finger. Remus had pulled out his book once more and Hermione wanted to do the same.
“When do we have to go to the school?” Sirius asked aloud, breaking the quiet.
“The task starts at dusk.” Hermione told him, “So not until 9:30 or so.”
“Okay.”
“But I was thinking,” Hermione murmured, “Mrs Weasley and Bill are visiting with Harry today. I’m going to floo-call Dumbledore about it and see if we can’t get the two of you to see him too.”
“Really?” Sirius’ eyes lit up and he grinned at her.
Hermione sighed, “I don’t know if he’ll agree to it, but I thought it might be nice to try.” She stood and walked over to the fireplace. The powder poured through her fingers as she through it into the soot, green flames igniting. “Headmaster’s Office, Hogwarts School,” she declared loudly.
“This is Albus,” came a voice, “I’m alone,” he added.
“Hi, Professor. This is Hermione. Do you have a minute to talk?” with a great green woosh of heat, Albus Dumbledore stood before her.
“Good day, Hermione,” Dumbledore nodded his head at the three of them in turn. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, I know Mrs. Weasley and Bill are visiting with Harry today and I was hoping you would let Sirius visit with him too, as Padfoot.” Hermione added, “and Remus. Everyone knew they were close and I think it would give Harry a boost of morale if that could happen.” Sirius and Remus watched Hermione keep direct eye contact with Dumbledore’s sparkling eyes before he finally smiled and nodded.
“I think that would be fine,” Dumbledore turned to go back to the floo.
“I would like to come too, sir,” she blurted. “I have an invisibility cloak.”
Sirius muttered, “Of course she does,” to Remus who shook his head, smiling.
“Very well. As long as the three of you do not plan to jeopardize what must take place tonight,” Dumbledore studied Sirius’ face. “You must give me your word.”
“Yes sir,” Hermione and Remus said automatically. Hermione looked round at Sirius, pleading with her eyes.
“Yes, alright, fine,” he grumbled. Dumbledore smiled again and stepped into the floo. The three followed in a line after, Hermione grabbing her small bag before jumping in after them.