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Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter or any of the characters, I just like to play with them
The Bike
Thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
duck_or_rabbit who co-authored this chapter with me.
Fred and George begged and begged Sirius to let them throw a stag party but in the end he opted to spend the night before his wedding with just himself and the best man. Sirius was worried about the type of mischief the twins had in mind, he knew Remus would only get him miserably drunk but in no real trouble.
“How did we,” Sirius gestured with his empty glass before setting it down, “end up with such young women?”
“I know…look at us, both of us.” Remus shook his head.
“Absolutely no right.”
“None whatsoever.” Remus clucked his tongue. “But isn’t it nice?”
Sirius couldn’t help the lecherous smile. “Great Merlin, yes.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Hermione stood in front of the tall footed mirror with her mother standing behind her and looked herself over. She was still awed by the white, satiny dress, beautifully accented with tiny seed pearls. The body of the dress hugged her close down to her thickening waist where it blossomed out into a full, floor length gown. She met her mother’s eyes briefly and smiled serenely as she looked over her shoulder to get a glimpse of the medium length train behind her.
Her mother took a half step up to her daughter, gently turned her and fitted the tiara, fussing with it until it was perfect. Jean took a step back to admire Hermione whose hair and make up were perfected that morning at the spa. Hermione wore her hair down, as requested by Sirius, the large looping curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back.
A knock at the door and Ginny went to answer, brushing off her mother’s worrying hands. Herman Granger stood in the door way, smiling at his wife and beautiful daughter.
“It’s time, Pumpkin.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius stood patiently, expectantly and nervously next to his last childhood friend who was his best man. He was quiet in his contemplation of another wedding day, many years ago.
James had been on his mind a lot lately, ever since finding his old quidditch robes. His thoughts were bittersweet of happier days gone by. He half turned to smile at Remus, unable to keep himself from thinking that it should have been James at his side.
“Can you feel them?” Remus whispered quietly in his ear.
“Who?”
“James and Lily. I keep feeling her eyes on me.” Remus’ voice was sad and wistful.
“I could have sworn I heard James laughing earlier, thought I was going mental.” He had to choke back the hitch in his voice.
“I think maybe you have some unexpected wedding guests.” The softness in Remus’ tone was dry and strained with emotion.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Clutching her father’s arm, Hermione was led down the aisle to her husband. As they passed the back row of pews in the small, intimate church she felt eyes upon her, intently watching. Her step faltered as she turned to look but nothing was there. She recovered and resumed her procession, feeling, oddly, as though she had been approved of. She brushed it off as wedding madness and focused her eyes on her future who was looking a little nervous. She thought that was adorable considering they were already married six months.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Symbolically, Hermione belonged to her father as he walked her down the aisle. For the purposes of the ceremony she did not belong to Sirius, she had been taken from him, for however briefly. A small, low growl erupted from him, completely against his will, mentally urging them to move faster along. Even this small ritual separation was unacceptable to him, she was his and his alone. He barely heard the minister ask who was giving the bride away but he was keenly aware of when her father stepped off.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The minister eyed the assembled guests curiously. On the bride’s side were a very nice looking group of people in their Sunday finest. On the groom’s side were the biggest bunch of weirdoes in robes and odd hairstyles that he had ever hoped to see. He looked the groom over with his tuxedo like robes and long black hair which hung loose and hoped that Hermione knew what she doing.
“Dearly beloved…”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
After the ceremony there were pictures. After the pictures there was rice. After the rice there was a dance. After the dance there was cake.
Everything moved quickly and in a bit of a blur for Hermione. She was having a wonderful time, everything was just as she wanted it to be. When Sirius removed the garter from her leg and grazed a finger along her knickers, she knew it was time to leave.
She departed with her mother to change out of her dress so that she and Sirius could depart.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Hermione and her mother walked out of the room together, her mother’s arm around her thickening waist. As requested she was dressed in blue jeans, trainers, a long sleeved button down shirt and a light jacket over which she wore her casual robes open. Together they walked towards the entrance where Molly, Arthur and Herman were standing, talking quietly. Bill, Fred, Ron and George were laughing at a joke that Fred and just told, getting drunker by the minute. Ginny was enduring Fleur go on and on about the bridesmaid dress Ginny was wearing and how it just wasn’t going to work in her wedding scheme. Tonks, Alicia and Angelina emerged from the loo, their heads bowed, whispering about Fleur. There were some conspicuous absences in addition to her husband, namely Harry and Remus.
“Has anyone seen Sirius or Harry or Remus?” Hermione swiveled slowly around, her eyes sweeping the hall as she cast another hopeful glance. The other assembled guests obscured her view of the whole room but Sirius stood taller than most and would be hard to miss.
“They just stepped away for a minute, they’ll be right back.” Molly looked at Hermione with a bemused expression when her back was turned. She glanced toward the entrance and then smiled knowingly to Jean.
“Are you all packed up?” Jean looked around for her daughter’s luggage, they were leaving for their honeymoon directly after the reception.
Hermione lifted her purse up for her mother to see. “It’s all in here, magically sized down to fit.”
Harry and Remus returned, breathless, with wide, foolish looking grins on their faces. Hermione caught their attention and waved them over. “Have either of you seen Sirius?”
“Yeah, he’s on his way here now.” Remus tried to school his expressions into something that looked less like guilt and more like a reassuring friend, but failing miserably.
“Where did he run off to?” Hermione narrowed her eyes at Remus and then at Harry, they glanced guiltily at each other.
“He had to go and get something, he’ll be right back.” Harry smiled a little too widely to be considered innocent.
“Alright you two, what gives?” Hermione heard a faint rumbling in the distance as she conducted her interrogation.
“Wh-what do you mean?” Remus tried to sound blameless of any dark motives. The reverberation in the distance grew louder, whatever was making the noise was closer to the restaurant.
“Your trying a little too hard, Remus. Dead give away. Where is Sirius and what is he up to?” Hermione turned her head toward the entrance, the rumbling was loud and penetrating now as to almost be obnoxious.
“Wonder what’s making all that racket?” Harry looked from Hermione to Remus and then to the door. The deep piercing roar which was clearly made by an engine of some sort was right outside the restaurant.
Molly, Jean and Herman started toward the door, Molly glanced back over her shoulder to see if Hermione was following them. The Weasley sons stood unsteadily to their feet and lumbered gracelessly toward the sound. Ginny disengaged herself from Fleur and joined Angelina and Alicia in their trek towards the metallic bellow. There was a series of sharp increases in volume from the engine which caused the walls to tremble slightly. The collective scraping of chair legs against the floor signaled the start of an exodus out of doors.
Hermione looked at Remus and Harry who were both trying to hold back laughter, her bewildered look combined with the knowledge of what awaited was too much for them. Her expression turned from one of utter bafflement to that of suspicion which clearly demanded an explanation.
“C’mon Hermione, let’s see what that is. Everybody else has gone for a look, we may as well join them.” Harry reached out for her hand and gently tugged her toward the door.
“What has he done?” Trepidation evident in her tone.
“He has a surprise for you.” Remus took her by the other hand, she finally took a step toward the door.
“It sounds horrendous.” Hermione allowed them to lead her to the door during which she ran through a list of possible magical explanations but nothing was jumping out at her.
When they reached the door Remus politely held it open for her, nervously glancing from her to Sirius whom she couldn’t see yet. He didn’t want to be hexed for his hand in the situation. Hermione stepped out onto the front walk, looked around and caught her breath. Sirius was parked and sitting on the largest motorbike she had ever seen, the sun was setting behind him, a breeze blew through his hair causing it to flutter attractively about. He looked like a renegade prince on his steed. His tight leather pants peaked out from under his long, black, well worn robes which draped casually over the back of the bike. He wore the robes open to reveal a partially unbuttoned white dress shirt, his tattoos clearly visible. He was gazing intently in her direction, eyes roving around, searching for and finally hitting his target.
She was wearing clothes appropriate for a trip above the clouds, just as he had requested, although not in those words. He braced himself for her ire with a cocky grin, confident of his ability to win her over. He was determined to be victorious in the coming battle.
It didn’t hurt that he thought she was sexy as hell when she was angry.
Hermione’s breathing increased as her eyes soaked in this glorious example of masculine beauty. He had gone to some trouble with his appearance, it was part of his plan, victory through seduction, any means necessary. The most impressive piece of clothing gracing his form were the robes he had found in the closet a couple of weeks ago, his old play clothes, dusted off and donned anew. They were clearly well made, had probably cost quite a few galleons but bore the unmistakable signs of harsh use. Only someone familiar with rough play could pull this coat off. His tight leather pants and open shirt confirmed what the coat suggested. This was a dangerous man, someone to keep your eye on, someone unbelievably sexy. The unbidden warming of her sex forced a blush to rise on her cheeks. She glanced downward in an attempt at getting it under control.
Once the initial rush passed she was able to more closely analyze the scene. The humming monster between his legs was a massive motorbike. Momentary confusion gave way to understanding. He expected her to get on that thing.
Hermione didn’t trust motorbikes; an uncle of hers had died horribly in a crash. His mangled body clung to life a few weeks before finally succumbing to his numerous injuries. He was her mother’s brother, her favorite uncle. She was only seven at the time. Despite the numerous safe rides her uncle had taken her on, she had had a fear of them ever since.
Hermione shook her head. There was no way she was getting on that bike.
Sirius watched as she shook her head, hands on her hips, eyes imploring. Undeterred and unaware of her emotional state he jumped the curb and rode his blubbering beast over to where she stood, under the awning by the restaurant’s front door. He pulled it to a halt in front of her, leaned into the handle bars and playfully raised his eyebrows at her. Hermione took a few steps back.
He quieted the bike, kicked the stand, steadying it into place. He reached his far leg over the bike and leapt off the seat with flair. He gallantly reached his hand out to grasp hers and kissed it softly.
“My lady, your chariot awaits.” His playful, coaxing smile put her at ease but it didn’t change her mind. Hermione glanced between him and the gleaming blue metal and chrome, cocking her head thoughtfully, deciding that as bikes went, it was rather attractive.
“I’m afraid of bikes, Sirius.” Their eyes met over her words, hers attempting vainly to convey the depth of her fear.
“Have you even ever been on one?” The scoffing tone exposed his doubt.
“Yes.” Simple, honest and small.
“Oh, really?” His tone playfully disbelieving, convinced if she actually had been on a bike before she would be eager to do so now. “And when was that?”
“When I was a girl. My Uncle Nigel had one.” Sirius caught the look of sadness but couldn’t fathom it. His determination to get her on the bike pushed it aside.
“Well then get on, woman!” He tugged her forward by the hand only to be met with resistance.
“No!” Her face set in determination and steady gaze into his taunting grey eyes finally confirmed for him, her resolve.
He released her hand, still playful and hopped back on his waiting mistress. A flick of his wand and she was purring between his legs once more. “Shall I drop you a post card?” He affected a careless attitude, still trying to tease her out. “Wish you were here.”
Her shock and hurt went unrecognized by him, such was his will to get her on that bike. This was just a game he was playing, throwing out trick after trick to weaken her defenses. She couldn’t believe he would even suggest leaving her behind, in jest or not. “No, Sirius.”
He revved the engine lightly, drowning out her protestation. Hermione jumped back in surprise, wounded by his thoughtless act. Sirius’ awareness was recalled to their audience, his ego bruised over his inability to control the situation, fueled a spark of annoyance. “Get on the bike, Hermione.”
“I will not.” Not liking what he heard he revved the engine again, annoyance creeping into irritation.
Is he not even going to ask me why?
Sirius took a self conscious glance at the gathered family and friends who were watching their display, watching him be rejectedover and over by his wife. Irritation mounted into aggravation upon seeing the twins shake hands out of the corner of his eye.
Taking bets are they?
Hermione, too, had seen the twins, the set of her jaw tightened, refusing to be cowed. Her eyes displayed the flash of anger, which she directed at Sirius for putting her in this position. She fumed inwardly and prepared herself to lash out at him.
Sirius read her intent clearly, knowing he had to head this off. He shut the engine off once more, outwardly displaying swallowed pride, inwardly thinking that anything which got her on the bike would be victory. He schooled his features into an apology and reached tenderly for her hand. She willingly took it and allowed herself to be pulled into a hug. He whispered into her ear as he held her. “I love you. I’m so glad I’m married to you and that you are going to be the mother of my child. I know you’re scared but this bike is charmed indestructible.” Her shoulders dropped slightly, relaxation and relief seeping through her.
Almost there, time to sweeten the pot.
“Besides, I think it’s high time I made love to you above the clouds.”
Hermione pulled back from his embrace, puzzled by his words. “Above the clouds?”
“Yeah, baby,” he purred, “you know, on the bike.”
“The bike…flies?”
“Yeah!”
“IT FLIES!” Hermione jumped back, brushing up against the restaurant’s wall.
Sirius decided to ignore the fact that she was screeching at uncomfortable decibels. “Perfectly safe, baby.”
“Do you know that is illegal? Not to mention…I hate flying!”
“C’mon, baby.” Sirius reached out for her wrist, to pull her into him.
“Absolutely not!” Hermione jerked her wrist up and away, knocking his hand back.
Sirius withdrew from her physically and emotionally, sitting into the bike, taking his comfort in it. She had never rejected his advances before, it felt like he had been slapped. His expression hardened, all softness and tenderness evaporated into the twilight. Rejection was something he had very little experience with; none had ever stung as much as this.
She rejected him and his bike, the bike he had only been able to get for himself because of her. He had never fully expressed what she meant to him, what she did for him, how she had changed him. And now she didn’t want him. He felt his emotions sliding out of control, depression settling into him, he wanted to flee from her so she couldn’t look at him. He felt naked and exposed and unlovable. Something of his old character, his way of coping with disappointments, reached its fingers into his heart, altering his view of reality.
Hermione could sense something was changing, he wasn’t looking at her, he was looking through her.
The bike roared to life with a deafening metallic scream. “If you don’t get on this damn bike, right bloody now, I swear I really will leave you here, wedding day or not.” His voice was cold and emotionless, sounding like someone she had never met.
Hermione had too much self respect to allow this to pass, she shook her head unconsciously. He couldn’t say something so disrespectful to her and get away with it. Anger and despair fizzed discontentedly inside her, lips quirked downward in an angry frown. Slowly she removed her wedding band and engagement ring and walked quietly over to him. She took his hand, which he willingly gave, unsure of what she had in mind. She opened his hand and dropped the rings into it.
“You can’t talk to me that way and if you do…you don’t really love me.” She reached up to her neck and took hold of the charm there. One hard, sharp yank and it was broken, leaving an angry red line where the chain had been. He stepped back, refusing to take back the protective charm that only she could have removed. She tossed it at his feet like it were garbage and turned away without looking at him. She walked over toward her mother and father, her happiest day turned into her most miserable.
Sirius bent down to pick up the charm in disbelief. He stared at the rings in his hand, his happiness, his light, his love was walking away from him. He had gone too far in his bid to get her on the bike. He realized the bike meant nothing without her, he meant nothing without her.
“Wait!” He shut the bike off one more time and got off of it.
“Wait, damn it!” He ran over to her and spun her around, he immediately felt the chill, icy, like a wall between them. He couldn’t take it, his loving, yielding wife wasn’t his now, he could feel the loss of her down to the marrow of his bones. He dropped to his knees before her, utterly defeated, pulling her body flush against his, clutching her tightly as though his life depended on it, resting his head against her belly where their baby grew.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Sirius felt himself crack open, the things he was too proud or too cowardly to say pushed their way up through the fissure.
“What I’ve done?” Hermione pulled back angrily, struggling, futile against his strong arms and the fingers that dug into her back.
“I-I’m nothing without you. You remade me, Hermione. You made me something I never was before. A man.” Sirius paused, sobbing, wetting her shirt with his tears. She realized she had misread the situation and placed her hands on his head soothingly, curling her fingers in his dark locks.
“I never thought I’d be happy again, for years I didn’t even know what that meant anymore.” Sirius wiped his nose on his precious robes like a toddler. “You’re so beautiful, so pure…I want to be better…worthy of you…I’d do anything…”
"You did this because of me, didn't you?" Her words were breathless, barely leaving her lips.
Sirius' doleful sob shocked Hermione. She had her answer. Hermione knelt before him and cupped his slick cheeks in her palms.
"You denied yourself this, for all these years?"
He nodded and swallowed a small noise of agreement in his throat.
"I hurt you. I hurt you because of this bloody thing, and I only got the bloody thing because I stopped hurting." His ironic laugh was thick and wet.
Sirius braved her sweet face finding only love in her eyes, her ice melted, washed away in his tears. He leaned his forehead to hers with a relieved sigh, the self inflicted pain in his heart soothed away. He picked her small hand up in his and put the rings back on her finger. “Please…never take these off again.” He tenderly and tentatively cupped her face in his hands and kissed her sweetly, full of his love and devotion.
“I really liked riding on Uncle Nigel’s bike.” Her voice was soft and tentative.
“I’m sure you did. How old were you?” Sirius responded with a tender voice. He wondered if there was still hope for his bike. He had his priorities straight but it never hurt to try.
“Up until I was seven.” He heard the sadness again only now he was paying attention.
“What happened, why stop then?” He felt that he knew the answer before she spoke.
“He died in a crash, a crash on the bike.” It all fell into place.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’ll let Remus take it home. You don’t have to ride.” He resigned himself to a life without a bike.
“Could you take me for a ride, slowly, so I can get used to it again?” She didn’t want to deny him anything and he did say it was indestructible.
“I…you…what? Really?” Sirius stammered, befuddlement and mounting excitement in his tone. Hermione giggled because Sirius Black was rarely so woefully lacking in cool.
“I trust you, you would never do anything to hurt me or our baby. I should’ve known that.” Hermione realized that she too had acted hastily and without thought.
“What about flying?” He braced for a bad reaction.
“I’m not having sex on that thing,” she said, grinning, something like forgiveness in her tone, “at least not while we’re up there.” She flicked her eyes skyward and then back to his face. It took him a minute to realize what she meant.
“Vixen,” he murmured into her ear, placing a soft kiss just below the lobe. She giggled softly and pushed against him playfully. “Are you ready? We’ll go as slow as you like.”
“Lead the way.” She offered her hand, putting her safety into his.
The Bike
Thanks to
duck_or_rabbit who co-authored this chapter with me. Fred and George begged and begged Sirius to let them throw a stag party but in the end he opted to spend the night before his wedding with just himself and the best man. Sirius was worried about the type of mischief the twins had in mind, he knew Remus would only get him miserably drunk but in no real trouble.
“How did we,” Sirius gestured with his empty glass before setting it down, “end up with such young women?”
“I know…look at us, both of us.” Remus shook his head.
“Absolutely no right.”
“None whatsoever.” Remus clucked his tongue. “But isn’t it nice?”
Sirius couldn’t help the lecherous smile. “Great Merlin, yes.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Hermione stood in front of the tall footed mirror with her mother standing behind her and looked herself over. She was still awed by the white, satiny dress, beautifully accented with tiny seed pearls. The body of the dress hugged her close down to her thickening waist where it blossomed out into a full, floor length gown. She met her mother’s eyes briefly and smiled serenely as she looked over her shoulder to get a glimpse of the medium length train behind her.
Her mother took a half step up to her daughter, gently turned her and fitted the tiara, fussing with it until it was perfect. Jean took a step back to admire Hermione whose hair and make up were perfected that morning at the spa. Hermione wore her hair down, as requested by Sirius, the large looping curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back.
A knock at the door and Ginny went to answer, brushing off her mother’s worrying hands. Herman Granger stood in the door way, smiling at his wife and beautiful daughter.
“It’s time, Pumpkin.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius stood patiently, expectantly and nervously next to his last childhood friend who was his best man. He was quiet in his contemplation of another wedding day, many years ago.
James had been on his mind a lot lately, ever since finding his old quidditch robes. His thoughts were bittersweet of happier days gone by. He half turned to smile at Remus, unable to keep himself from thinking that it should have been James at his side.
“Can you feel them?” Remus whispered quietly in his ear.
“Who?”
“James and Lily. I keep feeling her eyes on me.” Remus’ voice was sad and wistful.
“I could have sworn I heard James laughing earlier, thought I was going mental.” He had to choke back the hitch in his voice.
“I think maybe you have some unexpected wedding guests.” The softness in Remus’ tone was dry and strained with emotion.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Clutching her father’s arm, Hermione was led down the aisle to her husband. As they passed the back row of pews in the small, intimate church she felt eyes upon her, intently watching. Her step faltered as she turned to look but nothing was there. She recovered and resumed her procession, feeling, oddly, as though she had been approved of. She brushed it off as wedding madness and focused her eyes on her future who was looking a little nervous. She thought that was adorable considering they were already married six months.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Symbolically, Hermione belonged to her father as he walked her down the aisle. For the purposes of the ceremony she did not belong to Sirius, she had been taken from him, for however briefly. A small, low growl erupted from him, completely against his will, mentally urging them to move faster along. Even this small ritual separation was unacceptable to him, she was his and his alone. He barely heard the minister ask who was giving the bride away but he was keenly aware of when her father stepped off.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The minister eyed the assembled guests curiously. On the bride’s side were a very nice looking group of people in their Sunday finest. On the groom’s side were the biggest bunch of weirdoes in robes and odd hairstyles that he had ever hoped to see. He looked the groom over with his tuxedo like robes and long black hair which hung loose and hoped that Hermione knew what she doing.
“Dearly beloved…”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
After the ceremony there were pictures. After the pictures there was rice. After the rice there was a dance. After the dance there was cake.
Everything moved quickly and in a bit of a blur for Hermione. She was having a wonderful time, everything was just as she wanted it to be. When Sirius removed the garter from her leg and grazed a finger along her knickers, she knew it was time to leave.
She departed with her mother to change out of her dress so that she and Sirius could depart.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Hermione and her mother walked out of the room together, her mother’s arm around her thickening waist. As requested she was dressed in blue jeans, trainers, a long sleeved button down shirt and a light jacket over which she wore her casual robes open. Together they walked towards the entrance where Molly, Arthur and Herman were standing, talking quietly. Bill, Fred, Ron and George were laughing at a joke that Fred and just told, getting drunker by the minute. Ginny was enduring Fleur go on and on about the bridesmaid dress Ginny was wearing and how it just wasn’t going to work in her wedding scheme. Tonks, Alicia and Angelina emerged from the loo, their heads bowed, whispering about Fleur. There were some conspicuous absences in addition to her husband, namely Harry and Remus.
“Has anyone seen Sirius or Harry or Remus?” Hermione swiveled slowly around, her eyes sweeping the hall as she cast another hopeful glance. The other assembled guests obscured her view of the whole room but Sirius stood taller than most and would be hard to miss.
“They just stepped away for a minute, they’ll be right back.” Molly looked at Hermione with a bemused expression when her back was turned. She glanced toward the entrance and then smiled knowingly to Jean.
“Are you all packed up?” Jean looked around for her daughter’s luggage, they were leaving for their honeymoon directly after the reception.
Hermione lifted her purse up for her mother to see. “It’s all in here, magically sized down to fit.”
Harry and Remus returned, breathless, with wide, foolish looking grins on their faces. Hermione caught their attention and waved them over. “Have either of you seen Sirius?”
“Yeah, he’s on his way here now.” Remus tried to school his expressions into something that looked less like guilt and more like a reassuring friend, but failing miserably.
“Where did he run off to?” Hermione narrowed her eyes at Remus and then at Harry, they glanced guiltily at each other.
“He had to go and get something, he’ll be right back.” Harry smiled a little too widely to be considered innocent.
“Alright you two, what gives?” Hermione heard a faint rumbling in the distance as she conducted her interrogation.
“Wh-what do you mean?” Remus tried to sound blameless of any dark motives. The reverberation in the distance grew louder, whatever was making the noise was closer to the restaurant.
“Your trying a little too hard, Remus. Dead give away. Where is Sirius and what is he up to?” Hermione turned her head toward the entrance, the rumbling was loud and penetrating now as to almost be obnoxious.
“Wonder what’s making all that racket?” Harry looked from Hermione to Remus and then to the door. The deep piercing roar which was clearly made by an engine of some sort was right outside the restaurant.
Molly, Jean and Herman started toward the door, Molly glanced back over her shoulder to see if Hermione was following them. The Weasley sons stood unsteadily to their feet and lumbered gracelessly toward the sound. Ginny disengaged herself from Fleur and joined Angelina and Alicia in their trek towards the metallic bellow. There was a series of sharp increases in volume from the engine which caused the walls to tremble slightly. The collective scraping of chair legs against the floor signaled the start of an exodus out of doors.
Hermione looked at Remus and Harry who were both trying to hold back laughter, her bewildered look combined with the knowledge of what awaited was too much for them. Her expression turned from one of utter bafflement to that of suspicion which clearly demanded an explanation.
“C’mon Hermione, let’s see what that is. Everybody else has gone for a look, we may as well join them.” Harry reached out for her hand and gently tugged her toward the door.
“What has he done?” Trepidation evident in her tone.
“He has a surprise for you.” Remus took her by the other hand, she finally took a step toward the door.
“It sounds horrendous.” Hermione allowed them to lead her to the door during which she ran through a list of possible magical explanations but nothing was jumping out at her.
When they reached the door Remus politely held it open for her, nervously glancing from her to Sirius whom she couldn’t see yet. He didn’t want to be hexed for his hand in the situation. Hermione stepped out onto the front walk, looked around and caught her breath. Sirius was parked and sitting on the largest motorbike she had ever seen, the sun was setting behind him, a breeze blew through his hair causing it to flutter attractively about. He looked like a renegade prince on his steed. His tight leather pants peaked out from under his long, black, well worn robes which draped casually over the back of the bike. He wore the robes open to reveal a partially unbuttoned white dress shirt, his tattoos clearly visible. He was gazing intently in her direction, eyes roving around, searching for and finally hitting his target.
She was wearing clothes appropriate for a trip above the clouds, just as he had requested, although not in those words. He braced himself for her ire with a cocky grin, confident of his ability to win her over. He was determined to be victorious in the coming battle.
It didn’t hurt that he thought she was sexy as hell when she was angry.
Hermione’s breathing increased as her eyes soaked in this glorious example of masculine beauty. He had gone to some trouble with his appearance, it was part of his plan, victory through seduction, any means necessary. The most impressive piece of clothing gracing his form were the robes he had found in the closet a couple of weeks ago, his old play clothes, dusted off and donned anew. They were clearly well made, had probably cost quite a few galleons but bore the unmistakable signs of harsh use. Only someone familiar with rough play could pull this coat off. His tight leather pants and open shirt confirmed what the coat suggested. This was a dangerous man, someone to keep your eye on, someone unbelievably sexy. The unbidden warming of her sex forced a blush to rise on her cheeks. She glanced downward in an attempt at getting it under control.
Once the initial rush passed she was able to more closely analyze the scene. The humming monster between his legs was a massive motorbike. Momentary confusion gave way to understanding. He expected her to get on that thing.
Hermione didn’t trust motorbikes; an uncle of hers had died horribly in a crash. His mangled body clung to life a few weeks before finally succumbing to his numerous injuries. He was her mother’s brother, her favorite uncle. She was only seven at the time. Despite the numerous safe rides her uncle had taken her on, she had had a fear of them ever since.
Hermione shook her head. There was no way she was getting on that bike.
Sirius watched as she shook her head, hands on her hips, eyes imploring. Undeterred and unaware of her emotional state he jumped the curb and rode his blubbering beast over to where she stood, under the awning by the restaurant’s front door. He pulled it to a halt in front of her, leaned into the handle bars and playfully raised his eyebrows at her. Hermione took a few steps back.
He quieted the bike, kicked the stand, steadying it into place. He reached his far leg over the bike and leapt off the seat with flair. He gallantly reached his hand out to grasp hers and kissed it softly.
“My lady, your chariot awaits.” His playful, coaxing smile put her at ease but it didn’t change her mind. Hermione glanced between him and the gleaming blue metal and chrome, cocking her head thoughtfully, deciding that as bikes went, it was rather attractive.
“I’m afraid of bikes, Sirius.” Their eyes met over her words, hers attempting vainly to convey the depth of her fear.
“Have you even ever been on one?” The scoffing tone exposed his doubt.
“Yes.” Simple, honest and small.
“Oh, really?” His tone playfully disbelieving, convinced if she actually had been on a bike before she would be eager to do so now. “And when was that?”
“When I was a girl. My Uncle Nigel had one.” Sirius caught the look of sadness but couldn’t fathom it. His determination to get her on the bike pushed it aside.
“Well then get on, woman!” He tugged her forward by the hand only to be met with resistance.
“No!” Her face set in determination and steady gaze into his taunting grey eyes finally confirmed for him, her resolve.
He released her hand, still playful and hopped back on his waiting mistress. A flick of his wand and she was purring between his legs once more. “Shall I drop you a post card?” He affected a careless attitude, still trying to tease her out. “Wish you were here.”
Her shock and hurt went unrecognized by him, such was his will to get her on that bike. This was just a game he was playing, throwing out trick after trick to weaken her defenses. She couldn’t believe he would even suggest leaving her behind, in jest or not. “No, Sirius.”
He revved the engine lightly, drowning out her protestation. Hermione jumped back in surprise, wounded by his thoughtless act. Sirius’ awareness was recalled to their audience, his ego bruised over his inability to control the situation, fueled a spark of annoyance. “Get on the bike, Hermione.”
“I will not.” Not liking what he heard he revved the engine again, annoyance creeping into irritation.
Is he not even going to ask me why?
Sirius took a self conscious glance at the gathered family and friends who were watching their display, watching him be rejectedover and over by his wife. Irritation mounted into aggravation upon seeing the twins shake hands out of the corner of his eye.
Taking bets are they?
Hermione, too, had seen the twins, the set of her jaw tightened, refusing to be cowed. Her eyes displayed the flash of anger, which she directed at Sirius for putting her in this position. She fumed inwardly and prepared herself to lash out at him.
Sirius read her intent clearly, knowing he had to head this off. He shut the engine off once more, outwardly displaying swallowed pride, inwardly thinking that anything which got her on the bike would be victory. He schooled his features into an apology and reached tenderly for her hand. She willingly took it and allowed herself to be pulled into a hug. He whispered into her ear as he held her. “I love you. I’m so glad I’m married to you and that you are going to be the mother of my child. I know you’re scared but this bike is charmed indestructible.” Her shoulders dropped slightly, relaxation and relief seeping through her.
Almost there, time to sweeten the pot.
“Besides, I think it’s high time I made love to you above the clouds.”
Hermione pulled back from his embrace, puzzled by his words. “Above the clouds?”
“Yeah, baby,” he purred, “you know, on the bike.”
“The bike…flies?”
“Yeah!”
“IT FLIES!” Hermione jumped back, brushing up against the restaurant’s wall.
Sirius decided to ignore the fact that she was screeching at uncomfortable decibels. “Perfectly safe, baby.”
“Do you know that is illegal? Not to mention…I hate flying!”
“C’mon, baby.” Sirius reached out for her wrist, to pull her into him.
“Absolutely not!” Hermione jerked her wrist up and away, knocking his hand back.
Sirius withdrew from her physically and emotionally, sitting into the bike, taking his comfort in it. She had never rejected his advances before, it felt like he had been slapped. His expression hardened, all softness and tenderness evaporated into the twilight. Rejection was something he had very little experience with; none had ever stung as much as this.
She rejected him and his bike, the bike he had only been able to get for himself because of her. He had never fully expressed what she meant to him, what she did for him, how she had changed him. And now she didn’t want him. He felt his emotions sliding out of control, depression settling into him, he wanted to flee from her so she couldn’t look at him. He felt naked and exposed and unlovable. Something of his old character, his way of coping with disappointments, reached its fingers into his heart, altering his view of reality.
Hermione could sense something was changing, he wasn’t looking at her, he was looking through her.
The bike roared to life with a deafening metallic scream. “If you don’t get on this damn bike, right bloody now, I swear I really will leave you here, wedding day or not.” His voice was cold and emotionless, sounding like someone she had never met.
Hermione had too much self respect to allow this to pass, she shook her head unconsciously. He couldn’t say something so disrespectful to her and get away with it. Anger and despair fizzed discontentedly inside her, lips quirked downward in an angry frown. Slowly she removed her wedding band and engagement ring and walked quietly over to him. She took his hand, which he willingly gave, unsure of what she had in mind. She opened his hand and dropped the rings into it.
“You can’t talk to me that way and if you do…you don’t really love me.” She reached up to her neck and took hold of the charm there. One hard, sharp yank and it was broken, leaving an angry red line where the chain had been. He stepped back, refusing to take back the protective charm that only she could have removed. She tossed it at his feet like it were garbage and turned away without looking at him. She walked over toward her mother and father, her happiest day turned into her most miserable.
Sirius bent down to pick up the charm in disbelief. He stared at the rings in his hand, his happiness, his light, his love was walking away from him. He had gone too far in his bid to get her on the bike. He realized the bike meant nothing without her, he meant nothing without her.
“Wait!” He shut the bike off one more time and got off of it.
“Wait, damn it!” He ran over to her and spun her around, he immediately felt the chill, icy, like a wall between them. He couldn’t take it, his loving, yielding wife wasn’t his now, he could feel the loss of her down to the marrow of his bones. He dropped to his knees before her, utterly defeated, pulling her body flush against his, clutching her tightly as though his life depended on it, resting his head against her belly where their baby grew.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Sirius felt himself crack open, the things he was too proud or too cowardly to say pushed their way up through the fissure.
“What I’ve done?” Hermione pulled back angrily, struggling, futile against his strong arms and the fingers that dug into her back.
“I-I’m nothing without you. You remade me, Hermione. You made me something I never was before. A man.” Sirius paused, sobbing, wetting her shirt with his tears. She realized she had misread the situation and placed her hands on his head soothingly, curling her fingers in his dark locks.
“I never thought I’d be happy again, for years I didn’t even know what that meant anymore.” Sirius wiped his nose on his precious robes like a toddler. “You’re so beautiful, so pure…I want to be better…worthy of you…I’d do anything…”
"You did this because of me, didn't you?" Her words were breathless, barely leaving her lips.
Sirius' doleful sob shocked Hermione. She had her answer. Hermione knelt before him and cupped his slick cheeks in her palms.
"You denied yourself this, for all these years?"
He nodded and swallowed a small noise of agreement in his throat.
"I hurt you. I hurt you because of this bloody thing, and I only got the bloody thing because I stopped hurting." His ironic laugh was thick and wet.
Sirius braved her sweet face finding only love in her eyes, her ice melted, washed away in his tears. He leaned his forehead to hers with a relieved sigh, the self inflicted pain in his heart soothed away. He picked her small hand up in his and put the rings back on her finger. “Please…never take these off again.” He tenderly and tentatively cupped her face in his hands and kissed her sweetly, full of his love and devotion.
“I really liked riding on Uncle Nigel’s bike.” Her voice was soft and tentative.
“I’m sure you did. How old were you?” Sirius responded with a tender voice. He wondered if there was still hope for his bike. He had his priorities straight but it never hurt to try.
“Up until I was seven.” He heard the sadness again only now he was paying attention.
“What happened, why stop then?” He felt that he knew the answer before she spoke.
“He died in a crash, a crash on the bike.” It all fell into place.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’ll let Remus take it home. You don’t have to ride.” He resigned himself to a life without a bike.
“Could you take me for a ride, slowly, so I can get used to it again?” She didn’t want to deny him anything and he did say it was indestructible.
“I…you…what? Really?” Sirius stammered, befuddlement and mounting excitement in his tone. Hermione giggled because Sirius Black was rarely so woefully lacking in cool.
“I trust you, you would never do anything to hurt me or our baby. I should’ve known that.” Hermione realized that she too had acted hastily and without thought.
“What about flying?” He braced for a bad reaction.
“I’m not having sex on that thing,” she said, grinning, something like forgiveness in her tone, “at least not while we’re up there.” She flicked her eyes skyward and then back to his face. It took him a minute to realize what she meant.
“Vixen,” he murmured into her ear, placing a soft kiss just below the lobe. She giggled softly and pushed against him playfully. “Are you ready? We’ll go as slow as you like.”
“Lead the way.” She offered her hand, putting her safety into his.
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I must admit I missed a heartbeat by the time Hermione was returning the rings, it was this momentarily panic that they would eventually separate on their wedding day and in nonspeaking terms. You're such a joker, like my sister would say, misleading your readers.
The end was very sweet, sweet Sirius, isn't he adorable? Specially when is taken by surprise. This was one of your best chapters, like I said, very intense. Great work.
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I would rarely say this about my work but I'm actually quite proud of this chapter.
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