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Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter or any of the characters, I just like to play with them
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NC17
The house at twenty four, Eternal Springs was bustling with people. Hermione was glad that there were people all around her. Once they were gone it would just be herself and her husband. Her husband.
The word sounded weird in her head, like something from a different language. She wanted to say it out loud, later maybe, when she was alone with her thoughts. She wasn’t quite ready to be alone with her thoughts though, not just yet.
Hermione looked around at the house that she shared with Sirius and realized, décor aside, that she liked it. It was just the right size and had a pleasant personality of its own. It wasn’t the failing, decrepit mansion at number twelve, Grimmauld Place. She was actually quite pleased that they didn’t live at the over sized manor.
She learned the whole story of what happened here on Christmas Day from Harry and Ron. After Christmas dinner everyone had snuck over to number twenty four, Eternal Springs while Sirius distracted her. He gave her the address where she was to receive her Christmas present from him. She arrived to find everyone had come over when she wasn’t looking. Then he had come up behind her, wrapped his arms around and introduced her to their new home.
Hermione blushed when they told her that she had spun in his arms and kissed him. She, kissing Sirius Black, it was hard for her to imagine.
The rest of the story was less of a happy, romantic fairy tale. It made her very sad to think that just when she had it all, the man, the house, the ring, it was all snatched away.
And now…well, now there were quite a few things she had to adjust to.
No one seemed to think it was odd in the least that Sirius was physically demonstrative with her. No one was shocked when he lay a tender kiss on her temple or tucked her hair behind her ear. There was a tone of voice he used for her and her alone. And then there was the way that he looked at her. And all these things produced a reaction in her that she was completely unfamiliar with and yet he was familiar. His behavior towards her was familiar and yet also surprising and strange.
The memories she was left with didn’t prepare her for this new reality.
She looked around at her house and wished she could walk about unaided. She wanted to explore, to see, to acclimate. Instead she was confined to the couch and waited for the world to come to her.
Molly Weasley conjured a tray with legs and put a plate of food in front of her and then returned to the kitchen where she was visiting with Hermione’s mother. Her father was speaking with Sirius out on the back porch, he was smoking a cigarette and laughing. Her father was no doubt preaching the ills of said act. Harry, Ron, Tonks and Remus were playing with Sirius’ stereo system.
Hermione sat alone and contemplated her plate of food. She was hungry, very hungry but she was struggling with the fork. She couldn’t get her fingers to grip it properly and she was getting frustrated. She didn’t want to ask for help, didn’t want to be dependant on others and she certainly didn’t want to be fed. She finally gave up, forcing the tears of frustration away. She wouldn’t cry, not over this.
“Aren’t you hungry dear?” Her mother had been watching Hermione struggle, not sure what to do. She knew her daughter wouldn’t appreciate being coddled. She decided to let Hermione come to her.
“Not really, no.” Just then Hermione’s stomach grumbled so loudly it made Harry and Ron turn to look at her.
“You are too, what’s the matter? Why won’t you eat?” Harry was slow to catch on, it wasn’t that she wouldn’t eat, it was that she couldn’t.
The tears that she had kept in submission finally spilled out of her eyes. Her face was red with frustration and anger at her situation. She cast a dark look at the man standing out on the back porch with her father and realized that this was his fault.
Her mother read her daughter accurately, she sat down beside Hermione and gave her a sympathetic smile. “He didn’t mean for any of this to happen, dear.”
Hermione sniffed loudly and wiped her eyes. “I know,” she whispered. Hermione realized that in order to survive she was going to have to swallow some of her pride. “Do you mind? I can’t seem to hold the fork.”
“Not at all, dear. You know, no one is going to think less of you for having a little trouble doing for yourself.” She lifted the fork to her daughters mouth who took the food with a grateful smile.
Hermione nodded in response to her mother as she chewed. The healers had told her that with practice she would get better. She would have to try using her utensils when she wasn’t eating, when she wasn’t quite as hungry.
Sirius and Herman Granger returned from outside, Sirius looked at Hermione and winced. He knew his independent witch hated every minute of this. He went into the kitchen and got a plate of food and sat down in the family room. Everyone took his cue and followed suit. Instead of eating in the dining room they joined her in the family room like it was the most natural thing in the world.
They all complimented the two mothers on a wonderful and meal and made small talk. It wasn’t long before Hermione felt more at ease and she wondered at his ability to do that, to make her handicap seem like nothing.
After dinner was over Mrs. Weasley set the kitchen to work while the Grangers spoke to Hermione and Sirius before they left for home. Jean Granger was anxious for Hermione, about what their first night together would be like. Hermione had a lot to try and overcome in a very short amount of time. She hugged her daughter tightly.
“We’ll be over tomorrow to check on you.” She kissed her Hermione on the cheek.
“Thanks, mum…for everything.” Hermione smiled at her mother.
Her father leaned down and gave her a peck on the cheek. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Pumpkin.”
Hermione nodded and smiled at her father as he turned to Sirius. The two men shook hands and then Sirius walked the Grangers to the front door.
“Herman, Jean…we’ll see you tomorrow, then?” The Grangers said their good bye to Sirius and he closed the door after them.
Sirius walked back into the family room and sat down beside Hermione, he rested his hand on her leg and started talking to Molly. He felt Hermione stiffen slightly beside him and chose to ignore it. He had been reading the little reactions she had to him and let that be his guide. He wasn’t going to push her but he also wasn’t going to act as though they were merely friends. The sooner she was comfortable with him, the easier this would be.
“There are leftovers for the two of you and tomorrow I’ll bring over some more food.” Molly Weasley knew that in the beginning Sirius was going to have a time of it. Not having to worry about food would be a great help to him.
“Thank you, Molly. We really appreciate it.”
“Well then, I think I’ll be running along. Arthur’s going to need his dinner.” Molly Weasley gave Hermione a hug and patted Sirius on the back.
“I don’t need to tell you two to behave. You’re a guest in this house and Sirius doesn’t need a pair of unruly teenagers underfoot.” Molly was speaking to Harry and Ron who were spending the weekend with Hermione and Sirius.
“Mum!” Ron hated it when his mother spoke to him like he was a child.
“We will, Mrs .Weasley.” Harry smiled at Molly and turned back to the cassettes in front of him.
Molly said good bye to Remus and Tonks and then left for home by floo.
Hermione yawned impressively and leaned unconsciously into Sirius. It surprised her to have done so but once she was there she found him very comfortable. Sirius smiled and draped an arm around her, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulders as her eyes began to droop.
“That’s our cue,” said Remus, smiling at Hermione. Even though she couldn’t remember it, it seemed that something of her feelings for Sirius were still there. It gave him hope for the couple and made him wonder about the mystery that was love.
Hermione stirred and blushed at her actions, she didn’t realize she was being watched. Remus bent down and gave her a peck on the cheek and a knowing smile. Tonks gave Hermione a fierce hug and then Sirius as well.
“I can’t make it over tomorrow, I’m on duty. I’ll pop in just as soon as I can.” Tonks bumped into a table, nearly knocking it over as she made her way over to the fireplace.
“When do you want to get started on that library?” Remus walked over to the fireplace and put an arm around Tonks’ waist.
“Oh, well…let’s get Hermione settled in first. What about next week?” Sirius was glad that Remus was going to help. His friend had a much greater knowledge of books than he did and would be asset in getting set up.
“Sounds like a plan. We’ll drop by in a few days, see how it’s going.” Remus patted his friend on the back and then left by floo after his girlfriend.
Sirius sat back down beside Hermione and pulled her into him, refusing to lose any ground with her.
“You seem pretty tired. Are you ready for bed?” He let his fingers dance along her arm and smiled when he felt her shiver.
Hermione was blushing scarlet, she glanced at Harry and Ron to see if they had been listening in. They seemed completely oblivious to the couple as they were engrossed in listening to music. Ron was completely fascinated by the stereo system. She glanced back at Sirius and nodded.
“Oh, almost forgot.” Sirius walked to kitchen and came back with her anti seizure potion. He measured out the right dosage and tipped it into her mouth. He returned the potion to its place in the kitchen.
Sirius paused in front of the boys. “We’re off to bed. Why don’t you two do something a little quieter. There is a chess set over in the corner.” Harry and Ron looked up at Sirius and nodded. “Don’t stay up too late, boys.”
Harry noticed Hermione blushing, he knew it was only a matter of time before Ginny filled her in on a few details. He wondered privately if she would hex Sirius when she found out how they christened nearly every room at number twelve, Grimmauld Place. His eyes opened wide with surprise, it had just occurred to him, she didn’t know about the blaze.
Sirius returned to Hermione and helped her into a standing position. He was never happier that he had chosen a house with a master bedroom on the first floor. They ambled past the boys and then Sirius shut the door behind them.
He deposited her gently on the bed and then sat down beside her.
“I know this is going to be a bit awkward for you at first and it probably doesn’t help knowing that I’ve seen you naked before.” His voice was gentle and soothing, he was trying to make this as easy as possible for her.
“No, not really.” Her voice was quiet and unsure, she hoped he knew what to do because she was at a loss.
“I imagine you’d like to have a bath, you were in that hospital bed for a week.” He pushed her hair off of her neck, exposing the skin there. He felt a great rush to his loins when he thought that only a few weeks ago he would have kissed that skin.
She looked at him gratefully, she didn’t want to have to ask for that. She was oily and grimy and didn’t want to get into bed feeling like that. “You don’t mind?”
“Of course not, don’t be silly.” Sirius stood up and went into the adjoining bathroom and poured her a bath. She could hear him humming from within as the sound reverberated off the walls.
Sirius returned to her and took a deep breath, this was going to be the hard part, for both of them.
“Alright, baby. Lets get these clothes off of you.”
He watched as her face and neck flushed and remembered their first night together, she was going to be just as shy as she was then. She was the girl from that night, not the woman she turned into under his care.
Hermione trembled and flushed, she felt hot under his sympathetic gaze. He seemed to grasp that this was difficult for her, for which she was grateful. Still, it didn’t make it any easier.
Sirius unbuttoned her shirt slowly, not wanting to make the experience any more difficult for her. At least that’s what he told himself, he was loath to see her naked when there was nothing he could do with her. He had to control the impulse to kiss her as he undressed her. He pushed her shirt off of her shoulders and moved down to her shoes which he slipped off. She lay back on the bed so he could take of her pants, he felt his fingers tremble. He unbuttoned and unzipped them and then pulled them slowly off of her body.
God she was perfect.
He was being punished, this was his punishment. Wanting her with every fiber of his being and not being able to kiss or caress her. He slipped her knickers off and swallowed the dry knot in his throat. He pulled her back into a sitting position and unlatched her bra.
Will someone please just Avada me?
Hermione had never been naked in front of a man, at least not that she could remember. Sirius had gone strangely quiet as he undressed her. So far he had kept up a steady stream of chatter to distract her from what she couldn’t do for herself. She was wishing for that chatter now but it was not forthcoming. She had to live in this embarrassing moment, experiencing every second of it.
Sirius pulled her to her feet and wrapped a shaky arm around her naked waist. He walked her into the bathroom, lifted her up and then set down gently in the warm water.
There were a variety of soaps and sponges, everything she would need to bathe. Sirius knelt down beside the tub and helped her. He washed and rinsed her hair and scrubbed every inch of her body and he did it all in silence. When he was done and was drying her off she thanked him.
“Oh, certainly. It was nothing.” His voice was strangely husky and low. When she finally chanced a look at his face she noticed that his eyes were a good bit darker than usual. He glanced at her face, the look in his eyes made her feel rather warm and tingly.
He walked her back to their bed and helped her dressed. She noticed that he had clothes on her a lot faster than he had them off of her.
Sirius pulled back the covers for her and then tucked her in. He told her he would along in a minute, that he had to take a shower himself. Despite herself she found that she was rather curious about what he would look like naked but was disappointed when he walked into the bathroom fully clothed. She heard the water running and felt just a little bit huffy. It was fine for him to see her naked but not the other way around.
Sirius stood under the cold water and let the tension slowly ease out of him. This was going to drive him mad, he just knew it. His witch, his beautiful, young, sexy witch and he could have none of it. The worst part was that he could smell her, he knew what was going on with her body even if she didn’t. He wondered just how tense things would have to become before she realized what to do about it. He thought about her that first night and realized it could take quite some time.
He was in the shower a good thirty minutes before he emerged. He dried off and then realized his bed clothes were in the other room. No matter, he was under control. She would just have to get used to seeing him nude. He walked into the bedroom to find her asleep her. He found himself a pair of boxer shorts and slipped into bed beside her.
The bed was rather large giving her a small amount of privacy on the far side from him.
Sirius rested on his side as he watched her fall asleep. He couldn’t help but think miserably about all that he had lost. When he was certain she had fallen asleep he leaned into her and lay a chaste kiss on her cheek.
“I love you, Hermione.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius was awoken by the jerky, flailing arms of Hermione in mid seizure. He jumped out of bed and ran around to her side. He threw the covers off of her and pulled her into a sitting position. As she slowly woke up the jerking began to subside. It was only in the relaxed state of sleep that she was in danger. The seizures were caused by the barrier Snape had erected in her brain. For whatever reason waking her and getting her to walk around was supposed to help. Hermione let Sirius pull her to her feet and walk her around. Only when he was certain that she was fully awake did he run to the kitchen for her potion.
Hermione had little to say, she was very angry that this was happening to her. She knew that the seizures were going to go away but until they did it would be hard to live with. She wanted to scream and cry and rage at Sirius but she just couldn’t see what that would help.
Sirius walked back into the bedroom and saw the unmistakable signs of anger in his witch. He braced himself for her to hex him. He had been ready for that for the last twenty four hours. He stood in the doorway and watched as she got control of herself. He knew he was going to have to give her an outlet for that at some point. Summoning his courage he walked back over to her and sat down beside her.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“I’m really, really angry at you for this.” Her voice was shaking.
“I know.”
“How could you not check the ring for curses, Sirius? You’re smarter than that.”
“I wanted it too much.” As he said the words the truth of it hit him. He had wanted to give her something of himself, of his family. He had ignored the possibility of a threat because he wanted to fly in the face of family tradition. He never slowed down long enough to check for danger.
“I lost so much.” Hermione began to sob, she let him envelop her in his arms. As angry as she was with him she couldn’t help the feeling that this was where her comfort lay, with him. She pulled back and looked at him. “You lost as well, didn’t you?”
Sirius had to look away, he couldn’t face her eyes, her accusation or her truth. He was never going to get back what he had with her. The only possibility for hope lay in moving forward, together.
“I’m tired. Let’s go back to sleep.” She let him help her back into the bed, he covered her and then put himself to bed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius woke the next morning to find that he had gone to hell. Just as it had every morning, his cock stood at attention and there was a previously willing witch in bed beside him. The aforementioned witch had entwined her body with his in her sleep, her leg brushed up against his cock. Sirius groaned in frustration.
He used to wake her with kisses and caresses before sliding himself into her tight heat. His cock twitched as thought about it. There would be none of that this morning. He lay quietly beside her in complete agony, her soft breath fluttered against his shoulder, her arm was clutching his chest.
Sirius slowly extricated himself and made his way back to the shower. Hermione stirred slowly and looked around her. She heard the noise from the bathroom. She was surprised that Sirius was in the shower again and decided he must really like to be clean. She noticed that she was on his side of the bed and wondered how she got there.
She moved back over to her side of the bed and hoped he wouldn’t mention it. She must have woken up beside him in the bed and blushed at the thought. She realized then that she was still a bit tired and let her eyes close.
She stirred when she heard Sirius humming in the bathroom. She opened her eyes in time to see a very naked Sirius Black walking back into their bedroom.
Oh, my!
Hermione ducked under the covers a bit and let out a little gasp that she hoped he didn’t hear. He did and looked over at her with a cheeky grin. He was completely comfortable with his nudity; that much was apparent. As much as she would like to turn her eyes away she found that she just couldn’t. He was quite something to look at. She continued to peek at him from just under the covers.
“Good morning!” The smug self confidence was something he just couldn’t get out of his voice. He knew it was just a matter of time before she submitted to him. Until then they were both going to be suffering.
“Good morning.” Her voice was a little raspy. She watched him dress; she just couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“See something you like?” Her eyes were wide like saucers. He just had to tease her, he couldn’t help himself. He was pretty sure it would make her mad and flustered but he was willing to risk it.
Hermione slid under the covers, pulling them over her head. She muttered something he couldn’t hear.
He decided he should probably rescue her from her embarrassment, it was enough to know she found him attractive. He walked over to her side of the bed and sat down. He pulled the covers off of her head and smiled.
“How are you feeling this morning? Last night was a bit scary.” He saw the relief flood her face, he was going to drop it and move on.
“Much better. I’m really glad you were there.”
“Me too.” He leaned into her and kissed her on the temple. “Hungry? I can make us some breakfast.”
“That would be nice.”
She let him help her out of bed and into the family room. With his help she curled up on one of the couches. She watched him make breakfast and pondered this whole being married to Sirius, thing. He was a handful, always trying to push her boundaries. She liked her boundaries and was comfortable with where she had them erected. They had already been pushed past her comfort zone. She had the feeling he was going to try and erode them and she was not comfortable with that.
The smell of breakfast being cooked drew the boys downstairs, they entered the family room looking zombies.
“How late did you two stay up.” There was a distinct laugh in Sirius’ voice.
Harry and Ron each muttered something different yet equally incoherent.
“Hmmm…very late.” Sirius looked over at the boys and Hermione and smiled. He was glad that they were here. He couldn’t be everything for her and knew she was going to need to see her friends as often as he could arrange it. “Why don’t you tell her about the final battle. I don’t think she knows a thing.”
“The final battle? You mean the war with Voldemort is over?” Hermione’s eyebrows had all but disappeared.
“Thanks to you!” Harry was beaming with pride at his friend.
Harry and Ron told her all about the golems and how Voldemort didn’t know which was the real Harry. They told her about her own golem saving her life and how Sirius had attacked Bellatrix in defense of her. Harry filled her in about his square off with Voldemort. Ron told her how she and Sirius rushed to Harry’s side afterward.
“I-I’ve read about golems but I’ve never made one.”
“We figured that one out together, baby.” Harry and Ron cringed at the endearment and Hermione turned scarlet.
“Really?”
“I promise to tell you all about it.” She understood that to mean it was a story for another time and she wondered what could be so secretive about that.
He wanted to tell her how they fell in love without the boys around. Someday he would tell Harry about his trip to Mexico with Hermione but now just wasn’t the right time.
Harry took his godfather’s cue and continued with the story of the last battle. He told her how the ministry workers interrogated her and tried to take her to Azkaban.
Before he could stop them Harry and Ron told her how they hadn’t gotten to see her for a few days after that. They weren’t privy to the information that Sirius had her locked in his bedroom for half a week. They were still a little irritated that they hadn’t gotten to see her afterward.
“Where was I Sirius?” He shot the boys a deathly glare. He sat down beside Hermione and helped her eat her breakfast. He didn’t do it like her mother had. Instead he made her hold the fork, he just increased her grip. He knew she needed to do for herself as much as possible.
“Harry, Ron, grab some breakfast. Eat at the dining room table if you don’t mind.” He would tell her where she had been but not with their prying ears. He didn’t speak until they were sat at the table and eating.
“You were with me.” She immediately felt the tension between them.
“Oh.” She didn’t quite understand.
“You almost died, right in front of me. I couldn’t bear to be parted from you.”
“Yes, but what did we do for three days.” She was still a bit puzzled.
“What do you think we did, Hermione?” He wanted so much to kiss her, to scoop her up and take her to the bedroom for another three days, or three weeks, or three months.
Ohhhhh!!
“Three days?” Hermione was feeling very, very warm.
“Well don’t blame me if you’re insatiable.” He let the tension break with a bit of light teasing. He snuck a glance and had to chuckle at how red she had gone. “Come on, lets finish your breakfast.”
Hermione was rather quiet for the rest of her breakfast. She let Sirius do all the talking and so he filled the room with his friendly chatter. She just didn’t know what to think of all of this. She would be lying if she said she weren’t the tiniest bit curious. She was very curious about a single activity that could keep her willingly hidden away for three days.
Sirius took her plate with him and went to fix his own. He wasn’t going to hold back about who they had been, not with her, not when he wanted so much to be back there. The boys joined her in the family room after they had finished their breakfast. Eventually they all got dressed and prepared for the day.
Their afternoon was filled with the comings and goings of family and friends. Molly Weasley brought food and her parents visited with her for a number of hours.
As the afternoon wore on the house slowly emptied of its guests. First her parents left and then a few hours later Molly took Harry and Ron back to Hogwarts.
Hermione looked about her house and realized she was all alone with her husband.
Oh, yes. This was going to take some getting used to.
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NC17
The house at twenty four, Eternal Springs was bustling with people. Hermione was glad that there were people all around her. Once they were gone it would just be herself and her husband. Her husband.
The word sounded weird in her head, like something from a different language. She wanted to say it out loud, later maybe, when she was alone with her thoughts. She wasn’t quite ready to be alone with her thoughts though, not just yet.
Hermione looked around at the house that she shared with Sirius and realized, décor aside, that she liked it. It was just the right size and had a pleasant personality of its own. It wasn’t the failing, decrepit mansion at number twelve, Grimmauld Place. She was actually quite pleased that they didn’t live at the over sized manor.
She learned the whole story of what happened here on Christmas Day from Harry and Ron. After Christmas dinner everyone had snuck over to number twenty four, Eternal Springs while Sirius distracted her. He gave her the address where she was to receive her Christmas present from him. She arrived to find everyone had come over when she wasn’t looking. Then he had come up behind her, wrapped his arms around and introduced her to their new home.
Hermione blushed when they told her that she had spun in his arms and kissed him. She, kissing Sirius Black, it was hard for her to imagine.
The rest of the story was less of a happy, romantic fairy tale. It made her very sad to think that just when she had it all, the man, the house, the ring, it was all snatched away.
And now…well, now there were quite a few things she had to adjust to.
No one seemed to think it was odd in the least that Sirius was physically demonstrative with her. No one was shocked when he lay a tender kiss on her temple or tucked her hair behind her ear. There was a tone of voice he used for her and her alone. And then there was the way that he looked at her. And all these things produced a reaction in her that she was completely unfamiliar with and yet he was familiar. His behavior towards her was familiar and yet also surprising and strange.
The memories she was left with didn’t prepare her for this new reality.
She looked around at her house and wished she could walk about unaided. She wanted to explore, to see, to acclimate. Instead she was confined to the couch and waited for the world to come to her.
Molly Weasley conjured a tray with legs and put a plate of food in front of her and then returned to the kitchen where she was visiting with Hermione’s mother. Her father was speaking with Sirius out on the back porch, he was smoking a cigarette and laughing. Her father was no doubt preaching the ills of said act. Harry, Ron, Tonks and Remus were playing with Sirius’ stereo system.
Hermione sat alone and contemplated her plate of food. She was hungry, very hungry but she was struggling with the fork. She couldn’t get her fingers to grip it properly and she was getting frustrated. She didn’t want to ask for help, didn’t want to be dependant on others and she certainly didn’t want to be fed. She finally gave up, forcing the tears of frustration away. She wouldn’t cry, not over this.
“Aren’t you hungry dear?” Her mother had been watching Hermione struggle, not sure what to do. She knew her daughter wouldn’t appreciate being coddled. She decided to let Hermione come to her.
“Not really, no.” Just then Hermione’s stomach grumbled so loudly it made Harry and Ron turn to look at her.
“You are too, what’s the matter? Why won’t you eat?” Harry was slow to catch on, it wasn’t that she wouldn’t eat, it was that she couldn’t.
The tears that she had kept in submission finally spilled out of her eyes. Her face was red with frustration and anger at her situation. She cast a dark look at the man standing out on the back porch with her father and realized that this was his fault.
Her mother read her daughter accurately, she sat down beside Hermione and gave her a sympathetic smile. “He didn’t mean for any of this to happen, dear.”
Hermione sniffed loudly and wiped her eyes. “I know,” she whispered. Hermione realized that in order to survive she was going to have to swallow some of her pride. “Do you mind? I can’t seem to hold the fork.”
“Not at all, dear. You know, no one is going to think less of you for having a little trouble doing for yourself.” She lifted the fork to her daughters mouth who took the food with a grateful smile.
Hermione nodded in response to her mother as she chewed. The healers had told her that with practice she would get better. She would have to try using her utensils when she wasn’t eating, when she wasn’t quite as hungry.
Sirius and Herman Granger returned from outside, Sirius looked at Hermione and winced. He knew his independent witch hated every minute of this. He went into the kitchen and got a plate of food and sat down in the family room. Everyone took his cue and followed suit. Instead of eating in the dining room they joined her in the family room like it was the most natural thing in the world.
They all complimented the two mothers on a wonderful and meal and made small talk. It wasn’t long before Hermione felt more at ease and she wondered at his ability to do that, to make her handicap seem like nothing.
After dinner was over Mrs. Weasley set the kitchen to work while the Grangers spoke to Hermione and Sirius before they left for home. Jean Granger was anxious for Hermione, about what their first night together would be like. Hermione had a lot to try and overcome in a very short amount of time. She hugged her daughter tightly.
“We’ll be over tomorrow to check on you.” She kissed her Hermione on the cheek.
“Thanks, mum…for everything.” Hermione smiled at her mother.
Her father leaned down and gave her a peck on the cheek. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Pumpkin.”
Hermione nodded and smiled at her father as he turned to Sirius. The two men shook hands and then Sirius walked the Grangers to the front door.
“Herman, Jean…we’ll see you tomorrow, then?” The Grangers said their good bye to Sirius and he closed the door after them.
Sirius walked back into the family room and sat down beside Hermione, he rested his hand on her leg and started talking to Molly. He felt Hermione stiffen slightly beside him and chose to ignore it. He had been reading the little reactions she had to him and let that be his guide. He wasn’t going to push her but he also wasn’t going to act as though they were merely friends. The sooner she was comfortable with him, the easier this would be.
“There are leftovers for the two of you and tomorrow I’ll bring over some more food.” Molly Weasley knew that in the beginning Sirius was going to have a time of it. Not having to worry about food would be a great help to him.
“Thank you, Molly. We really appreciate it.”
“Well then, I think I’ll be running along. Arthur’s going to need his dinner.” Molly Weasley gave Hermione a hug and patted Sirius on the back.
“I don’t need to tell you two to behave. You’re a guest in this house and Sirius doesn’t need a pair of unruly teenagers underfoot.” Molly was speaking to Harry and Ron who were spending the weekend with Hermione and Sirius.
“Mum!” Ron hated it when his mother spoke to him like he was a child.
“We will, Mrs .Weasley.” Harry smiled at Molly and turned back to the cassettes in front of him.
Molly said good bye to Remus and Tonks and then left for home by floo.
Hermione yawned impressively and leaned unconsciously into Sirius. It surprised her to have done so but once she was there she found him very comfortable. Sirius smiled and draped an arm around her, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulders as her eyes began to droop.
“That’s our cue,” said Remus, smiling at Hermione. Even though she couldn’t remember it, it seemed that something of her feelings for Sirius were still there. It gave him hope for the couple and made him wonder about the mystery that was love.
Hermione stirred and blushed at her actions, she didn’t realize she was being watched. Remus bent down and gave her a peck on the cheek and a knowing smile. Tonks gave Hermione a fierce hug and then Sirius as well.
“I can’t make it over tomorrow, I’m on duty. I’ll pop in just as soon as I can.” Tonks bumped into a table, nearly knocking it over as she made her way over to the fireplace.
“When do you want to get started on that library?” Remus walked over to the fireplace and put an arm around Tonks’ waist.
“Oh, well…let’s get Hermione settled in first. What about next week?” Sirius was glad that Remus was going to help. His friend had a much greater knowledge of books than he did and would be asset in getting set up.
“Sounds like a plan. We’ll drop by in a few days, see how it’s going.” Remus patted his friend on the back and then left by floo after his girlfriend.
Sirius sat back down beside Hermione and pulled her into him, refusing to lose any ground with her.
“You seem pretty tired. Are you ready for bed?” He let his fingers dance along her arm and smiled when he felt her shiver.
Hermione was blushing scarlet, she glanced at Harry and Ron to see if they had been listening in. They seemed completely oblivious to the couple as they were engrossed in listening to music. Ron was completely fascinated by the stereo system. She glanced back at Sirius and nodded.
“Oh, almost forgot.” Sirius walked to kitchen and came back with her anti seizure potion. He measured out the right dosage and tipped it into her mouth. He returned the potion to its place in the kitchen.
Sirius paused in front of the boys. “We’re off to bed. Why don’t you two do something a little quieter. There is a chess set over in the corner.” Harry and Ron looked up at Sirius and nodded. “Don’t stay up too late, boys.”
Harry noticed Hermione blushing, he knew it was only a matter of time before Ginny filled her in on a few details. He wondered privately if she would hex Sirius when she found out how they christened nearly every room at number twelve, Grimmauld Place. His eyes opened wide with surprise, it had just occurred to him, she didn’t know about the blaze.
Sirius returned to Hermione and helped her into a standing position. He was never happier that he had chosen a house with a master bedroom on the first floor. They ambled past the boys and then Sirius shut the door behind them.
He deposited her gently on the bed and then sat down beside her.
“I know this is going to be a bit awkward for you at first and it probably doesn’t help knowing that I’ve seen you naked before.” His voice was gentle and soothing, he was trying to make this as easy as possible for her.
“No, not really.” Her voice was quiet and unsure, she hoped he knew what to do because she was at a loss.
“I imagine you’d like to have a bath, you were in that hospital bed for a week.” He pushed her hair off of her neck, exposing the skin there. He felt a great rush to his loins when he thought that only a few weeks ago he would have kissed that skin.
She looked at him gratefully, she didn’t want to have to ask for that. She was oily and grimy and didn’t want to get into bed feeling like that. “You don’t mind?”
“Of course not, don’t be silly.” Sirius stood up and went into the adjoining bathroom and poured her a bath. She could hear him humming from within as the sound reverberated off the walls.
Sirius returned to her and took a deep breath, this was going to be the hard part, for both of them.
“Alright, baby. Lets get these clothes off of you.”
He watched as her face and neck flushed and remembered their first night together, she was going to be just as shy as she was then. She was the girl from that night, not the woman she turned into under his care.
Hermione trembled and flushed, she felt hot under his sympathetic gaze. He seemed to grasp that this was difficult for her, for which she was grateful. Still, it didn’t make it any easier.
Sirius unbuttoned her shirt slowly, not wanting to make the experience any more difficult for her. At least that’s what he told himself, he was loath to see her naked when there was nothing he could do with her. He had to control the impulse to kiss her as he undressed her. He pushed her shirt off of her shoulders and moved down to her shoes which he slipped off. She lay back on the bed so he could take of her pants, he felt his fingers tremble. He unbuttoned and unzipped them and then pulled them slowly off of her body.
God she was perfect.
He was being punished, this was his punishment. Wanting her with every fiber of his being and not being able to kiss or caress her. He slipped her knickers off and swallowed the dry knot in his throat. He pulled her back into a sitting position and unlatched her bra.
Will someone please just Avada me?
Hermione had never been naked in front of a man, at least not that she could remember. Sirius had gone strangely quiet as he undressed her. So far he had kept up a steady stream of chatter to distract her from what she couldn’t do for herself. She was wishing for that chatter now but it was not forthcoming. She had to live in this embarrassing moment, experiencing every second of it.
Sirius pulled her to her feet and wrapped a shaky arm around her naked waist. He walked her into the bathroom, lifted her up and then set down gently in the warm water.
There were a variety of soaps and sponges, everything she would need to bathe. Sirius knelt down beside the tub and helped her. He washed and rinsed her hair and scrubbed every inch of her body and he did it all in silence. When he was done and was drying her off she thanked him.
“Oh, certainly. It was nothing.” His voice was strangely husky and low. When she finally chanced a look at his face she noticed that his eyes were a good bit darker than usual. He glanced at her face, the look in his eyes made her feel rather warm and tingly.
He walked her back to their bed and helped her dressed. She noticed that he had clothes on her a lot faster than he had them off of her.
Sirius pulled back the covers for her and then tucked her in. He told her he would along in a minute, that he had to take a shower himself. Despite herself she found that she was rather curious about what he would look like naked but was disappointed when he walked into the bathroom fully clothed. She heard the water running and felt just a little bit huffy. It was fine for him to see her naked but not the other way around.
Sirius stood under the cold water and let the tension slowly ease out of him. This was going to drive him mad, he just knew it. His witch, his beautiful, young, sexy witch and he could have none of it. The worst part was that he could smell her, he knew what was going on with her body even if she didn’t. He wondered just how tense things would have to become before she realized what to do about it. He thought about her that first night and realized it could take quite some time.
He was in the shower a good thirty minutes before he emerged. He dried off and then realized his bed clothes were in the other room. No matter, he was under control. She would just have to get used to seeing him nude. He walked into the bedroom to find her asleep her. He found himself a pair of boxer shorts and slipped into bed beside her.
The bed was rather large giving her a small amount of privacy on the far side from him.
Sirius rested on his side as he watched her fall asleep. He couldn’t help but think miserably about all that he had lost. When he was certain she had fallen asleep he leaned into her and lay a chaste kiss on her cheek.
“I love you, Hermione.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius was awoken by the jerky, flailing arms of Hermione in mid seizure. He jumped out of bed and ran around to her side. He threw the covers off of her and pulled her into a sitting position. As she slowly woke up the jerking began to subside. It was only in the relaxed state of sleep that she was in danger. The seizures were caused by the barrier Snape had erected in her brain. For whatever reason waking her and getting her to walk around was supposed to help. Hermione let Sirius pull her to her feet and walk her around. Only when he was certain that she was fully awake did he run to the kitchen for her potion.
Hermione had little to say, she was very angry that this was happening to her. She knew that the seizures were going to go away but until they did it would be hard to live with. She wanted to scream and cry and rage at Sirius but she just couldn’t see what that would help.
Sirius walked back into the bedroom and saw the unmistakable signs of anger in his witch. He braced himself for her to hex him. He had been ready for that for the last twenty four hours. He stood in the doorway and watched as she got control of herself. He knew he was going to have to give her an outlet for that at some point. Summoning his courage he walked back over to her and sat down beside her.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“I’m really, really angry at you for this.” Her voice was shaking.
“I know.”
“How could you not check the ring for curses, Sirius? You’re smarter than that.”
“I wanted it too much.” As he said the words the truth of it hit him. He had wanted to give her something of himself, of his family. He had ignored the possibility of a threat because he wanted to fly in the face of family tradition. He never slowed down long enough to check for danger.
“I lost so much.” Hermione began to sob, she let him envelop her in his arms. As angry as she was with him she couldn’t help the feeling that this was where her comfort lay, with him. She pulled back and looked at him. “You lost as well, didn’t you?”
Sirius had to look away, he couldn’t face her eyes, her accusation or her truth. He was never going to get back what he had with her. The only possibility for hope lay in moving forward, together.
“I’m tired. Let’s go back to sleep.” She let him help her back into the bed, he covered her and then put himself to bed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius woke the next morning to find that he had gone to hell. Just as it had every morning, his cock stood at attention and there was a previously willing witch in bed beside him. The aforementioned witch had entwined her body with his in her sleep, her leg brushed up against his cock. Sirius groaned in frustration.
He used to wake her with kisses and caresses before sliding himself into her tight heat. His cock twitched as thought about it. There would be none of that this morning. He lay quietly beside her in complete agony, her soft breath fluttered against his shoulder, her arm was clutching his chest.
Sirius slowly extricated himself and made his way back to the shower. Hermione stirred slowly and looked around her. She heard the noise from the bathroom. She was surprised that Sirius was in the shower again and decided he must really like to be clean. She noticed that she was on his side of the bed and wondered how she got there.
She moved back over to her side of the bed and hoped he wouldn’t mention it. She must have woken up beside him in the bed and blushed at the thought. She realized then that she was still a bit tired and let her eyes close.
She stirred when she heard Sirius humming in the bathroom. She opened her eyes in time to see a very naked Sirius Black walking back into their bedroom.
Oh, my!
Hermione ducked under the covers a bit and let out a little gasp that she hoped he didn’t hear. He did and looked over at her with a cheeky grin. He was completely comfortable with his nudity; that much was apparent. As much as she would like to turn her eyes away she found that she just couldn’t. He was quite something to look at. She continued to peek at him from just under the covers.
“Good morning!” The smug self confidence was something he just couldn’t get out of his voice. He knew it was just a matter of time before she submitted to him. Until then they were both going to be suffering.
“Good morning.” Her voice was a little raspy. She watched him dress; she just couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“See something you like?” Her eyes were wide like saucers. He just had to tease her, he couldn’t help himself. He was pretty sure it would make her mad and flustered but he was willing to risk it.
Hermione slid under the covers, pulling them over her head. She muttered something he couldn’t hear.
He decided he should probably rescue her from her embarrassment, it was enough to know she found him attractive. He walked over to her side of the bed and sat down. He pulled the covers off of her head and smiled.
“How are you feeling this morning? Last night was a bit scary.” He saw the relief flood her face, he was going to drop it and move on.
“Much better. I’m really glad you were there.”
“Me too.” He leaned into her and kissed her on the temple. “Hungry? I can make us some breakfast.”
“That would be nice.”
She let him help her out of bed and into the family room. With his help she curled up on one of the couches. She watched him make breakfast and pondered this whole being married to Sirius, thing. He was a handful, always trying to push her boundaries. She liked her boundaries and was comfortable with where she had them erected. They had already been pushed past her comfort zone. She had the feeling he was going to try and erode them and she was not comfortable with that.
The smell of breakfast being cooked drew the boys downstairs, they entered the family room looking zombies.
“How late did you two stay up.” There was a distinct laugh in Sirius’ voice.
Harry and Ron each muttered something different yet equally incoherent.
“Hmmm…very late.” Sirius looked over at the boys and Hermione and smiled. He was glad that they were here. He couldn’t be everything for her and knew she was going to need to see her friends as often as he could arrange it. “Why don’t you tell her about the final battle. I don’t think she knows a thing.”
“The final battle? You mean the war with Voldemort is over?” Hermione’s eyebrows had all but disappeared.
“Thanks to you!” Harry was beaming with pride at his friend.
Harry and Ron told her all about the golems and how Voldemort didn’t know which was the real Harry. They told her about her own golem saving her life and how Sirius had attacked Bellatrix in defense of her. Harry filled her in about his square off with Voldemort. Ron told her how she and Sirius rushed to Harry’s side afterward.
“I-I’ve read about golems but I’ve never made one.”
“We figured that one out together, baby.” Harry and Ron cringed at the endearment and Hermione turned scarlet.
“Really?”
“I promise to tell you all about it.” She understood that to mean it was a story for another time and she wondered what could be so secretive about that.
He wanted to tell her how they fell in love without the boys around. Someday he would tell Harry about his trip to Mexico with Hermione but now just wasn’t the right time.
Harry took his godfather’s cue and continued with the story of the last battle. He told her how the ministry workers interrogated her and tried to take her to Azkaban.
Before he could stop them Harry and Ron told her how they hadn’t gotten to see her for a few days after that. They weren’t privy to the information that Sirius had her locked in his bedroom for half a week. They were still a little irritated that they hadn’t gotten to see her afterward.
“Where was I Sirius?” He shot the boys a deathly glare. He sat down beside Hermione and helped her eat her breakfast. He didn’t do it like her mother had. Instead he made her hold the fork, he just increased her grip. He knew she needed to do for herself as much as possible.
“Harry, Ron, grab some breakfast. Eat at the dining room table if you don’t mind.” He would tell her where she had been but not with their prying ears. He didn’t speak until they were sat at the table and eating.
“You were with me.” She immediately felt the tension between them.
“Oh.” She didn’t quite understand.
“You almost died, right in front of me. I couldn’t bear to be parted from you.”
“Yes, but what did we do for three days.” She was still a bit puzzled.
“What do you think we did, Hermione?” He wanted so much to kiss her, to scoop her up and take her to the bedroom for another three days, or three weeks, or three months.
Ohhhhh!!
“Three days?” Hermione was feeling very, very warm.
“Well don’t blame me if you’re insatiable.” He let the tension break with a bit of light teasing. He snuck a glance and had to chuckle at how red she had gone. “Come on, lets finish your breakfast.”
Hermione was rather quiet for the rest of her breakfast. She let Sirius do all the talking and so he filled the room with his friendly chatter. She just didn’t know what to think of all of this. She would be lying if she said she weren’t the tiniest bit curious. She was very curious about a single activity that could keep her willingly hidden away for three days.
Sirius took her plate with him and went to fix his own. He wasn’t going to hold back about who they had been, not with her, not when he wanted so much to be back there. The boys joined her in the family room after they had finished their breakfast. Eventually they all got dressed and prepared for the day.
Their afternoon was filled with the comings and goings of family and friends. Molly Weasley brought food and her parents visited with her for a number of hours.
As the afternoon wore on the house slowly emptied of its guests. First her parents left and then a few hours later Molly took Harry and Ron back to Hogwarts.
Hermione looked about her house and realized she was all alone with her husband.
Oh, yes. This was going to take some getting used to.