What to do?
Friday the 7th of January 1977
“Have you spoke to him yet?”
Hermione shook her head as she moved her fork through her food, barely eating and instead staring at the steaming vegetables, ignoring the sigh that came from the girl that had just sat across from her and was no doubt staring holes into the top of her head.
It wasn’t the first time she had asked the question and she doubted it would be the last. Lily Evans was nothing if not persistent, and perhaps slightly annoying.
“Mi’ -”
“I know, but what am I supposed to say?” Hermione asked, looking up with a frown as she placed her fork down and Lily stared at her. “’I’m sorry your Uncle died and your sad, but lets talk about what happened during Christmas and what it means for us.’” It made her grimace as she said it, and it made Lily wince slightly.
“I get your concern but who knows how long this will go on if you sit here just waiting for him to talk to you.” Lily whispered as a group of girls passed by their seats, giggling behind their hands and batting their eyelashes at some boys.
Hermione watched them go, an ache forming in her chest as she watched the boys turn to smirk at them, it was so easy for them it seemed. So easy to show what they wanted and try to get it – they didn’t seem to feel the need to make everything more difficult than it already was nor choose to do something before terrible news came.
“I told him I’d give him time, and that’s what I’m going to do for now.” Hermione spoke back as Lily let out a sigh and shook her head.
“You’re both hopeless.”
That, Hermione had to agree with. Her and Sirius were both hopeless and possibly stupid – not just because of what they had done but because of how it seemed to effect other people too.
It wasn’t a mistake and she didn’t regret doing it, but maybe it should have been done at a different time, after the emotions had been said and when there wasn’t alcohol running through their veins and clouding some of their judgement, not that they had been drunk but it didn’t help matters in the slightest.
Hermione had just been so overcome, and jealous. Everyone else seemed to have something or be on their way to something and she was stuck in the same old mess – and she just wanted to feel something for a change, be in charge of what happened and make a choice on some matters instead of having everyone else decide.
Yet, in doing that she had left the very core of what she wanted in someone elses hands. Someone who now wasn’t in a position to decide what he wanted.
Alphard’s death, as sad as it was, had put a barrier between them, a silent understanding on Hermione’s side that Sirius might need more than a little time to sort through everything happening in his life before he decided what he wanted. And for Hermione that meant hanging back and waiting until he seemed better.
And thus she was left waiting at the sidelines, ignoring what she felt and putting a slight distance between her and the very boy that seemed to make her want to throw all logic out of the window and just give in to her basic desires.
It simply wouldn’t do, not right now, there was more important things happening.
“Did you guys hear – fuck…” Marlene’s whispered hiss broke her out of her thoughts, as the girl stumbled into a seat beside Lily, reaching under the table to rub her shin. “That’s gonna bruise...shit.” She mumbled as Hermione raised her eyebrows and Lily finally cracked a smile.
“Watch where you’re going then.” The redhead remarked dryly as Marlene levelled her with an icy glare.
“I normally do but I was in a rush to get over here.” She hissed out, placing her leg back on the chair and shaking her golden locks out of her face. “Marianna Jones has been pulled from school.” She whispered, wide eyes and nails tapping against the table.
Hermione frowned as she looked towards the Hufflepuff table, towards a group of girls who seemed to be frowning at their food, unsure of what to do without their friend. Not that Hermione had really known her, she had been in the year below, but she had seemed friendly and got along with everyone well enough.
“What? Why” Lily spoke for the both of them, frowning at their friend. “What about her O.W.Ls?”
“Her parents didn’t feel safe here with the war apparently, so they are all off to America.” Marlene answered before she frowned, the other question seeming to register as she glared at Lily. “I’m sure they have some equivalent at Ilvermorny.”
“They do, though it’s different and kind of irrelevant if she chooses to come back home at a later time – though I suppose she could always resit her exams then.” Lily answered with a sigh as she pushed back her food, flushing under the gaze of Hermione and Marlene. “Not that that is important, it’s just a shame that another person has gone – I mean how many is that now?”
“Five, I think – though it will probably be more by the end of the year.” Marlene answered with sigh, before she looked up and down the table, scoffing at something. “It’s a shame Vance and Brown are still here.”
Hermione couldn’t help but chuckle, looking down the table where Emmeline and Jenny were sat, picking at their food and no doubt gossiping between themselves. For the most part they had been alright as they came back to school, Emmeline had even offered a tense smile and a ‘Happy New Year’, but there had been too many comments over the years to forget.
And the adding fact that Emmeline had been found in Sirius bed over a year ago. Like she too had let those pesky hormones get a hold of her, except Vance did seem to have the added bonus of it being nothing more.
How lucky to not have feelings tied to a thing nor whatever might happened afterwards.
“At least she’s moved on from our boys.” It was strange to hear such a sentence coming from Lily’s lips, after all the years and problems, for her to officially place herself in their little group.
“Our boys?” Marlene asked with raised eyebrows and a large grin. “I didn’t know you were so possessive, Lils, especially considering you hated them less than a year ago.” She added as Lily pursed her lips and flicked her growing auburn hair over her shoulder.
“I never hated them – they just annoyed me.”
“That I agree with – where are they anyway?”
Hermione sighed. “I believe they are pranking something or someone.”
“Good, this school could use a laugh, I never seen such sadder faces.” Marlene commented as her eyes drifted to the Slytherin table and to one moody looking person in particular, a sigh leaving her mouth as she turned back around to her food.
“How’s he doing?” Hermione asked as Marlene sighed again.
Regulus, much like his brother, was a touchy subject it seemed, having reverted back to how things were before the Shack, where he barely acknowledge any of them if he saw them in the corridors and seemed to keep his overly pale head down.
And while it hadn’t effected her life too much, she could imagine it had effected Marlene, if the sad look her friend was giving out was any indication.
“I haven’t seen or spoke to him since we came back – he’s been avoiding me.” Marlene whispered out as she turned back to look at Hermione, eyes sad and downcast before she let out a breath. “I know his Uncle just died, I’ve seen how it effect Sirius, so I can’t be too upset but...well I...I just…”
“You miss him.” Hermione whispered out as another ache settled in her chest as Marlene nodded.
Merlin, she could understand to some extent. She missed the carefree nature, and the flirty gestures, the tugging on her curls and the captivity that his eyes seemed to hold her under. She missed her friend or whatever it was that they were now.
She missed Sirius.
Lily sighed, stabbing a potato on her plate as she looked between Marlene and Hermione. “Perhaps this is the moment that you can show him you are there for him, as a friend or whatever you are – let them know they have someone to come to, someone who means a lot to them.” It was as much for her as for Marlene and Hermione knew that.
“It’s not as easy as that, Regulus isn’t someone I can just speak to in the halls and offer condolences to.” Marlene spoke as she shook her head and let out a breath, face twisting and eyes blinking rapidly. “What if he regrets what happened between us or he thought he wanted something and the break between us has helped him realise he doesn’t and now he’s not sure how to tell me which is why he is avoiding me?” Marlene asked rapidly, looking between her friends.
Hermione didn’t have any answers, or even any words that she could offer, as the questions she had been asking herself seemed to have poured from her friends lips and offered her a slight realisation. How was she supposed to be comforting her friend when she was struggling with her own Black?
“Stop worrying.” Lily demanded, frowning at Marlene. “Regulus is besotted with you, but he’s also just lost his Uncle and he barely speaks to his brother – he probably doesn’t want to bother you when he’s not sure how you are feeling or if you want to deal with what he’s going through.” Lily explained reasonably, looking over at Hermione quickly. “Just don’t give up on him yet.”
Marlene frowned, a deep and confused one. “Why would I do that? Just because I haven’t seen him doesn’t mean I won’t stop trying – I need answers before that.”
“Exactly, sometimes pestering and making your presence known works.” Lily spoke smugly, turning to look at Hermione who tensed her jaw.
“And sometimes it’s pushes people away and comes back to bite you in the arse.”
“Or sometimes it gives you what you want.” Lily answered back. “But if both of you want to sit here and moan about how the Black brothers, who lost someone, aren’t seeking you out for answers then so be it but I personally think all four of you need a kick up the arse and some self realisation that you can’t wait forever.”
Hermione frowned as Marlene nodded her head, ever the Gryffindor to take words of encouragement and see how she could use them, but Hermione wasn’t sure Lily understood just what could be on the line for Hermione if she went down that route.
Push too little and there was nothing to worry about but what might come down the road, or push too hard and end up losing everything between them or ruining what they had.
Sirius needed time, and she knew that and she was willing to offer it to him. Let him deal with Alphard, and the new inheritance he had come into, the fact that the war seemed to be creeping closer to them, and whatever their relationship was.
“Lil-”
“Wait, did some happen between you and Sirius?” Well fuck, it looked like Marlene was about to be in on the secret too.
…
Classes continued as normal, if not slightly awkward and stilted, plus the added glares from Marlene at her knowledge that she had been left out of the secret.
Hermione tried her best to pretend nothing was bothering her or eating her alive but the truth was that every time she looked over at Sirius she was aware that everything was building between them and they were both trying to avoid it, like it would go away or it would all sort itself out.
She knew Lily was watching them both, and perhaps Marlene now too, Remus seemed more annoyed than ever and James looked like he had no clue what was happening, or maybe he didn’t want to admit that something had happened.
“...and I want it on my desk by the next week!” Slughorn shouted after the class as the students rushed out, eager to wherever they were heading to next.
Hermione didn’t pay much attention as she packed her bag, slower, more focused on her own thoughts.
“Do you think we should speak to him again?” She jumped, book clattering to the floor as James appeared before her, eager hazel eyes and watching with raised eyebrows as she reached down for her book before throwing it in her bag.
Her eyes drifted to where their teacher was busy with something over his desk, not seeming to have noticed his least and most nosey students watching him.
“What are we supposed to try?” Hermione asked with a sigh as James frowned and rested his hands on her desk. “We asked him what we wanted and he answered, he’s never going to tell us more and honestly I’m not even sure if he knows anything else, we can look with what we have but I doubt it will actually lead us anywhere important.” She added, pulling her bag from the table and onto her shoulder.
“If we can figure out Volde-”
“His name, that’s it, and considering he clearly wants nothing to do with it then what good is it going to do – I mean unless he wrote a diary of his every dark secret and possible weak spot then -” Hermione stopped, a frown on her face as the familiar sense of Deja Vu washed over her, but nothing more.
“Did he?” James whispered as a couple of lingering students passed. Hermione levelled him with a look and shook her head.
“If he did, I don’t know and besides -”
“Hi.” The pair turned to see Sirius stood before them, hand clutching the strap his bag on his shoulder and eyes looking between them both, the absence of his smirk and humour in his eyes was enough to make her stomach clench slightly and her mouth open to ask him how he was.
“Hi.” She whispered back instead, all words seeming to have left her now she was actually stood before him and seemingly taking him in for the first time.
Maybe she was, for this wasn’t the same the Sirius that she had argued with in her bedroom or done the things she had with him. This was someone sad and tired, with a lack of hope and a whole new feeling of grief settling on his shoulders.
“Hi...what’s up?” James spoke next looking between the pair of them with annoyance as Hermione looked away, breathing in a deep breath and squaring her shoulders. This wasn’t the time to be getting up in whatever was happening.
Sirius narrowed his eyes, tongue coming out to wet his lip as he cast her another quick look, one that her heart racing in her chest and her cheeks no doubt turning a soft pink. “Did you forget we had plans after class?”
Before James could answer there was a small intake of breath causing the three students to turn and look towards Professor Slughorn as he stared between them all before quickly shuffling away to his office, the door shutting behind him loudly and the sound a lock clicking into place letting them all know he wouldn’t be out anytime soon.
Hermione sighed, mouth twitching slightly. Whatever Slughorn thought they were doing here was clearly far more intimidating than it actually was meant to be, but it also further the look James gave her that her know he thought there was more to the story.
“What the fuck was that about?” Sirius asked with a frown, turning to look back at the siblings as they stared back at him.
“Nothing...I think he’s still mad about the whole cauldron fiasco, I’m sure he’ll be over it soon.” James answered rapidly, shrugging his shoulders and letting out a small laugh as he threw his arm around Sirius’ shoulder and began pulling him towards the door. “Sister, we will talk soon.”
Hermione nodded her head and fought the urge to roll her eyes as Sirius turned to look back at her, eyes wide and swirling like silver clouds as he gave her a small smile. “Yeah, we’ll talk soon.”
She watched them go with her own soft smile, feeling slightly like a weight had been lifted off of her chest even as the ever persistent ache remained. It didn’t matter whether it was good or bad, it was all she had needed to confirm that they wouldn’t be spending the next few weeks in this weird limbo.
….
Sunday the 9th of January 1977
If there was anywhere to go in Hogwarts that remained peaceful and quiet, then it was most certainly the library, packed with people studying and more focused on school work than gossiping and whatever else they did.
It was also the place where Hermione felt most at home, surrounded by shelves upon shelves of books, so many that she wouldn’t be able to count them all if she had the time. Some so old that they were held together by magic, and some newer that were yet to have their spine cracked in and their pages marked by the oils on her fingers.
It was also the place where she did far too much research and took out too many books that Madam Pince sighed whenever she saw her and muttered things under her breath when the books were placed before her. Not that Hermione cared.
For it would take more than a woman who looked like an underfed vulture to upset her.
As such whenever she was in the library, she spent her time sticking to the quieter areas and keeping her head down – though today she was looking for someone and hoping to Merlin that it wouldn’t take long to find him, considering who he was with.
With a sigh she began her journey, weaving past the tables and a few piles of books, preparing to turn towards one of the corners when someone stood before her, a large book dropping by her feet.
“Oh shit.”
“Sorry.” Hermione muttered, keeping her grimace to herself as she picked up the book and passed it back to Edith, snatching her hand back quickly and wishing that for once she could handle their encounters with much more ease and elegance.
Edith simple took the book, giving a tight lipped smile before pushing a few strands from her face. For some reason she looked younger, maybe it was the smile or the messy bun on her head, or dimples that sprung out with the movement of her cheeks – but it made Hermione almost feel back for having issues with the girl.
“Thanks.” She spoke, the soft Northern accent coming through as she tucked the book into her arm and nodded her head, stepping to the side to move past Hermione. “He’s down there if you are wondering.” She added, pointing behind her.
Hermione’s stomach twisted and her jaw tensed as Edith looked at her, eyes narrowed and head tilting to the side before she scoffed.
“What?” Hermione snapped before cringing. This girl had done nothing wrong to her ever, nothing except be with Sirius first, and be friends with the people she cared about without getting tangled in their web any further but something about her just irked Hermione.
And it seemed Edith thought that too as she started speaking, her voice colder than normal and her stormy blue eyes all but glaring at Hermione. “You have nothing to be jealous of, no reason to dislike me, but yet you still cling to whatever petty thing you are feeling.”
It was a surprise to hear her speak in such a way. Sure she was slightly cold, but there was also usually a sense of warmth and humour to her, or at least there was when she was with other people or speaking to other people. But here now it was absent, and before Hermione stood a woman who was tired of her and everything else that seemed to be going on.
“I don’t-”
“Don’t try and deny it, you and I are far too smart to be playing this game.” Edith muttered out, rolling her eyes. “But just in case I need to spell it out, I don’t want Sirius or any of ‘your’ boys, so if we could stop with the glaring and everything, that would be great.” She added with another tight smile as she moved once again to step around Hermione.
“I’m sorry, I know it’s not an excuse but I honestly didn’t think it effected you how I felt about you.” It was an excuse, but it had always seemed like everything rolled of Edith’s back, like it never really mattered. “I’m sorry.”
“Did it hurt for you to say that?”
“Probably about as much as it hurts you to be nice to me.”
“When that day comes I’ll let you know.” Edith spoke with an amused smile as Hermione rolled her eyes and moved past her. “I think you’re the only girl that Sirius has ever cared about, if that makes you feel better.” It didn’t, and maybe Edith could tell by the frown on her face but she didn’t give it away.
“Does that upset you?” Hermione asked despite herself, voice slightly icy as Edith let out a small amused chuckle and shook her head.
“Not in the way you think, but it must be nice to know that you have someone like that always in your corner, or in your case multiple someones.” Hermione frowned as Edith looked over her shoulder quickly and turned back to give her a small smile. “Not all of us are lucky enough to have the friends, family and partners that you do, Potter.”
Hermione opened her mouth to speak but it seemed like Edith was done with the conversation, turning on her heel and marching through the library, leaving Hermione to watch her go and wonder what she meant.
Personally she didn’t know much about Edith’s family, clearly not in the same sector as her father or not high enough for her to know the last name, and it wasn’t like Hermione spent her time digging about Sirius’ ex’s, but for this one she might have to make an exception. If not because of curiosity but because of the look in Edith’s eyes as she spoke.
It was one she had seen many times, in her darkest days when she looked in the mirror, in Lily’s eyes when Petunia had been particularly cruel, in Marlene when her family gave her a choice, in Remus when his mother looked nervous around him, but mainly she had seen it in Sirius.
When his family all but shunned him, tortured him and made him have to fight for who he was and his own life. It had been cruel what had happened to him, and it had taken some time to start to leave but there were still days when it remained as strong as before, and these days now where he seemed so sad and not himself.
For the first time in her life she worried that Edith might be going through the same, but she wasn’t going to pry.
With a sigh, she turned around and headed towards the direction Edith had pointed to, stopping at the end of the aisle when she caught the back of their heads. One shaggy and sandy coloured, and the other dark messy waves.
Slowly she moved forward, stopping as she caught their words.
*”…I just needed something else to focus on.” Sirius whispered softly as Remus’ head turned to look at him in concern, and Hermione ducked her head, she could hear the way the pain and problems tugged at him, flooding into every word. “I’m fine.”
“I don’t know why you insist on lying – we all know you are not fine.” Remus whispered back, sounding slightly harsher than usual as Sirius turned to look at him in annoyance. “And you don’t have to be.”
“Moony, no offence mate, but I’m not in the mood for another pep talk.” Sirius muttered out, rubbing a hand over his face and shaking his head as Remus continued to look at him. “Look, there’s just a lot happening right now, it’s easier just not to think about it.” Something she could understand more than most people.
“Doesn’t make it go away though.” Remus muttered as he leaned back in his chair and Hermione moved behind the end of the shelves to avoid being seen. “Maybe you would feel better if you spoke to someone about what you were feeling, whether that’s about your uncle...or someone else.” Sirius glared as Remus gave him a pointed look.
Hermione blushed, a hand coming up so she could nervously chew on her nails. For a second she wondered if she should go, let them have their private conversation and look for Remus later, but her feet stayed and her ears strained to hear them.
“If you’re talking about who I think you are then -”
“You mean the girl you’ve barely spoke to since Christmas, yes I am.” Remus confirmed, voice slightly annoyed as Sirius clicked his tongue.
“It’s not like she’s been seeking me out.” Sirius spat back bitterly as Hermione frowned. He had to know it wasn’t because she didn’t want to but because she didn’t want to add the pressure he already clearly felt, even if it added to the annoyance that was waiting for him, yet again.
“She isn’t the one who lost someone and hasn’t been themselves for a good couple of weeks.” Remus hissed out before he let out a sigh. “I don’t think she’s avoiding you because of what happened but because she probably thinks you want space – if her doing that is upsetting you then maybe you should talk to her about it.” It sounded fair, and Hermione would be happy to have the talk but it had to be when he was ready.
“It’s not as easy as that, Moony.” Yet it could be, if it didn’t sound like Sirius was tired and ready to run away any second.
“Why not?” Remus asked. “Listen, I know you both said a lot of stuff that night, and I know that you need time but -”
“Wait a minute...what do you mean you know?” Sirius asked lowly, almost growling the words, all but making Hermione look around the corner in shock. Silver eyes glared dangerously at Remus who gulped and leaned back, like he wasn’t a ferocious beast once a month capable of killing. “Were you fucking listening?”
“Oh fucking hell...calm down will you, it’s not like I had my ear pressed to the door -” He looked around before he spoke again, forcing Hermione to once more duck behind the shelves. “- I went downstairs for a tea and back up again, it’s not my fault I have supernatural hearing.” He whispered out before speaking again. “And if you are worried I heard her then you can relax, you’re far too loud and whiny that’s its hard to even hear myself think.”
“Fucking dick.” Sirius muttered but he seemed to have relaxed slightly, head turning back to look at whatever he was writing. “You haven’t told Prongs, have you?”
“No I’m saving it for the day you really piss me off.” Remus answered back dryly as Sirius chuckled without humour. “Though if I’m being honest, I really think you and Hermione should tell him, perhaps together, when you pull your head out of your arse and go after what you really want.”
Sirius glared again, but his cheeks flushed pink slightly as he shook his head. “Well better death by James than by my dear mother – at least I know James will be sad afterwards.” There was a hint of humour in his voice but not enough to make his joke sound any less sad.
“Because Prongs isn’t a twat like your family.”
“Very true, except he does have his days.” Sirius mumbled out as he looked back to his book, shoulders tense as Remus have him another look and Hermione wondered once again if she should leave or just interrupt.
“So...why haven’t you gone after what you want?” Remus asked, leaning onto his elbows as Sirius lifted his head and gave his friend a quick glance.
“She deserves better.” Sirius muttered as Remus opened his mouth to speak, a frown on his face, only to be cut off once again but Sirius. “At least at the minute, as you pointed out, I’m not in the best place, wouldn’t be fair to add her to the mix, especially all things considering.”
“Wow.”
“What?”
“I know you’ve always had issues with learning from your mistakes, and maybe being scared of what might happen, but I never took you as a coward who makes excuses.” It was slightly harsh but Hermione couldn’t help but agree.
If Sirius had spoken to her, or listened to what she had said then he would have known that she would tell him all that was bullshit and she was there for him in whatever capacity he need, but instead he had gone and made his own stupid mind up and forgotten to tell her or not wanted to actually sit down and have that conversation with her.
Perhaps he was scared that once all the excuses were all gone, he would have to get down to the real issue or stop pushing her away.
“I’m not a coward.” Sirius bit out, hands clenched tightly before him as he leaned towards Remus, who didn’t flinch but instead narrowed his eyes.
“What else do you call someone who refuses to go after the beautiful girl that wants him and keeps coming back despite how many times said bloke has thrown her aside?” Remus spat back and Hermione felt her back straighten. She had never heard him sound so annoyed or frustrated...or sad. “She wants you, for whatever reason, and you owe her more than a timid conversation and one night.”
“I know that.” Sirius bit out before he sighed, throat seeming thicker. “I just...I can’t lose her if things go tits up...because they always do.” He chuckled darkly as Remus seemed to soften slightly.
“Do you honestly think Hermione would let you go if things didn’t work out?” He asked as she shook her head to herself and held back her own chuckle. “You guys shagged two weeks ago and she’s barely been able to take her eyes off of you – if you told her that it wasn’t going to work, she would be sad sure, but she’s Hermione fucking Potter, and she would stay your friend for as long as she needed her.” It would more than hurt, but Remus was right.
“Yeah I know, it would be the same for me.”
“Look, the way I see it is that you both deserve to be happy, together or not, for however long that could be.” Remus began, holding up his hand before Sirius could interrupt. “Or you could pie this whole thing off, wallow in your misery, watch her move on because Merlin knows someone is waiting in the wings for you to fuck off – “ He grinned as Sirius glared at him. “ - maybe become friends again – and hope that somewhere in this slightly dark and bleak future that you find someone half as good as the girl that wanted you when you were seventeen.”
“Don’t you paint a pretty future.” Sirius added dryly as Remus shrugged his shoulders.
“Regardless of whatever choice you choose, you just have to live with it and trust that you are making the best choice for yourself.” Remus spoke clearly, raising an eyebrow as Sirius opened his mouth to speak.
“Can we just leave this for today – and can you just help me with my Charms essay instead?”
Remus stared at him for a second longer before sighing, reaching over for the parchment that Sirius had been writing on before and frowning. “How is it that you’ve been in here this long and you’ve only got two sentences down?”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing – I fell asleep because I was up all night helping you!” Sirius hissed though he lacked malice as Remus rolled his eyes, his own essay no doubt already done despite having a whole day away from school and only getting back on his feet two days before.
Remus laughed slightly, shaking his head. "Padfoot, all you have to do is write an essay regarding chapter 39, it’s not even that long.”
"Really?" Sirius asked as he turned back to his book with a frown.
Hermione sighed as she slipped around the corner, watching the back of the two boys heads and debating whether to move forward. If Remus had any clue that she had been listening then he hadn’t given it away, and Sirius was clearly none the wiser.
But it seemed like today was the day she was facing things she hadn’t always liked, which meant she was going to storm over their and get what she came for without giving them any clue she had heard everything and was seriously debating smacking Sirius around the back of his head and telling him to grow a pair.
She doubted it would help situations. He needed the words to sink in, to marinate in that stupid brain of his – and if that didn’t work then she would set Lily on him, and he could deal with her best friends pestering until he caved.
That seemed more like a solid plan.
“Evening boys.” Hermione spoke, smiling softy as she slid into the free seat opposite them, their eyes wide as they looked at each other, clearly scared that she had heard. “What’s wrong with you?” She asked, raising an eyebrow and settling her chin on her hand.
“Nothing.” Remus muttered out, a nervous smile settling on his face. “What’s up?”
“Well I can see I interrupted something...so I’ll just get what I need and leave you boys to get back to whatever you were discussing.” Hermione sighed out, ignoring the way Sirius’ cheeks seemed even pinker and his fingers were tapping nervously against the wood of the table. “Remus, I need my Runes notes, otherwise my homework will be turned in empty.”
“Oh shit, yeah.” He mumbled before carefully pulling out a stack of notes from his bag and placing them into her opened pale hand. “Thank you, they helped me finish the essay.”
“Anytime, hopefully they’ll help me too.” Hermione muttered, slapping the parchment against her hand and standing up, a sigh leaving her mouth before she bent down to be level to Sirius, his eyes going wide as he looked at her. “Actually I need to talk to you.”
“Wha – what?”
“I can leave if you want.” Remus spoke amused as Hermione looked up at him, a smug smile on his face as Sirius turned his head as thought to ask him to stay.
“If you don’t mind, it won’t take long.” Hermione spoke softly as Remus nodded his head, letting out a small chuckle as Sirius gulped and Hermione sat herself back down, placing her notes on the table and facing Sirius with a warm smile.