ceredwensirius

Title: Breath
Chapter: Avoidance(10)
Chapter Rating: PG 13
Warnings: Smooching and ultra, ultra, ultra light violence
Pairings: Sirius/Hermione
Summary: Sirius is propelled forward through time by a magical accident. He has to adjust to all the changes and maybe find love in the process. A romance between Hermione/Sirius.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
Author’s Note: Houston, we have a problem.

Avoidance

Dressed warmly in a pair of jeans and crimson jumper with dark grey woolen robes thrown over for added warmth, Hermione tiptoed down the stairs at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, intent on leaving before she had to interact with one of the residents in particular. She left by Floo to visit Molly under the pretense of wanting a little quiet to work in and to help out with party preparation where she could. The truth, of course, was that she had no idea how to negotiate her next encounter with Sirius. For one brief moment she had wanted him to kiss her. Him! Merlin, what a mistake that would have been!

Molly was alone as Arthur had gone in early to the Ministry, and was still in her house robes with a few curlers in her hair. Refusing to hear of Hermione’s offer for help, she situated the younger witch at the kitchen table while she made preparations. They each worked on their respective tasks in companionable silence for several hours, with only the normal sounds of the Burrow acting as an accompaniment.

“I’m curious why you didn’t just use the library at your house, dear,” said Molly, breaking the silence as she pulled a cake pan out of the oven. “Not that I mind the company, just surprised.”

Hermione looked up from the letter she was writing and watched Molly insert a new pan of batter to bake. “Well, I did think you would let me be at least a little bit useful.”

“Nonsense, dear,” said Molly fussily as she closed the oven door. “After Bill and Fleur’s wedding, everything is easy.”

Hermione made a noncommittal little noise of agreement and turned back to her letter. As the pen scratched out the words inviting Cecilia Hardfoot to be a member of her team, Hermione replayed the scene from the night before. Sirius was quite compelling in his intensity, his grey eyes focused on hers, able to keep her in place with only the force of his gaze. Hermione looked down at the letter to discover she had written Sirius’ name.

“Damn,” she muttered quietly.

“Everything alright?” asked Molly, as she sifted flour into a bowl for yet another layer in Sirius’ welcome home cake.

“Just a little mistake,” said Hermione darkly. With a light flick of her wand she removed his name from the parchment. “There, all better. If only everything were so easy.”

“To what are you referring?” asked Molly curiously, as she cracked an egg over the bowl.

“Nothing really,” lied Hermione, as she dipped her quill into the pot of ink and watched as the excess dripped off in fat black tears.

“So tell me,” said Molly, her voice warbled slightly as she furiously whipped the batter with a wire whisk. “How is he adjusting?”

“You do that the Muggle way?” asked Hermione. There was a note of surprise in her tone.

“Magic doesn’t know when the batter is just right,” replied Molly, still whisking.

Hermione smiled at that and then went back to her letter writing. Molly took a few steps to the cooler, opened the door and plunked the bowl of batter in and then went to the sink to wash her hands.

“It can’t be easy on him, you know,” began the Weasley matriarch, drying her hands on her apron as she took a seat at the table with Hermione. “I can’t even begin to think how you would cope.” A few moments of silence passed and Hermione could feel Molly’s eyes on her face.

“What has Ginny told you?” asked Hermione quietly.

“Ginny?” said Molly, a bit surprised. “Well, she explained more than I could actually understand about how he got here and she also told me that Harry took Sirius to see James and Lily…” Molly trailed off. “Oh, and I think there was some business at the Ministry and Gringotts.”

“And that’s it?” asked Hermione suspiciously.

“Yes, I believe that covers it,” said Molly, but the slight rise in the tone of her voice suggested she wasn’t being entirely truthful. “I felt so bad for how poorly I treated Sirius while he was alive after he had that dreadful fall.”

“I’m sure he had some of it coming,” said Hermione darkly and without sympathy.

“If the circumstances were different, Harry would have gone straight to Sirius after James and Lily died,” said Molly. “I had no right to behave the way I did.”

“So Ginny didn’t mention anything else?” asked Hermione. She really wasn’t in the mood to be sympathetic to Sirius.

“Well,” began Molly, but was interrupted by the creaking of the back door as it opened.

“Hello, Mum!” said Ginny brightly, the brisk November air sneaking in behind her. “Oh! So here is where you snuck off to, Hermione. Harry was hoping to get that list of names from you before you left. We knew you wouldn’t be at work after the break in-“

“Break in,” said Molly sharply. “What break in?”

“My new office was broken into,” explained Hermione. “Apparently the culprit is someone in the company. They tried to destroy the calendar.”

“Did you see them?” asked Molly worriedly. “You weren’t hurt were you?”

“No, we have no idea who did it and no, they were gone by the time I got back to the office,” replied Hermione, giving Molly’s hand a pat to reassure her.

“Harry and Sirius left for your office about a half an hour ago,” said Ginny, scooting her chair closer to Hermione. “Did something happen after Harry and I went to bed?”

“Why?” said Hermione sharply. “Did he say something?”

Ginny grinned like a Cheshire cat. “I had a feeling he had something up his sleeve. He was downright surly until you came in last night from your date with Oliver.”

“Hermione Granger!” said Molly indignantly, banging the flat of her palm against the table. “You have been here for hours and you didn’t mention a break in or that you had a date!”

Ginny nudged Hermione’s arm. “Tell me! What happened last night? When Sirius heard you had already left you should have seen the smile on his face! It was downright devilish!”

“He’s pursuing her?” asked Molly, with a smug grin. Ginny held a finger up to her mother.

“Did he kiss you?” asked Ginny eagerly, leaning in.

“He most certainly did not!” cried Hermione indignantly.

“Well, something happened,” said Ginny. “That much I’m sure of.”

“You said Harry and Sirius left?” asked Hermione briskly, as she gathered her parchment into a neat stack, banging first one end sharply and then the other until the pile of paper was perfect. The sling on her purse was lifted off the corner of her chair and slung onto her shoulder as she stood.

“You’re leaving?” asked Ginny in disbelief. “Oh, please stay, Hermione. Don’t be so bloody sensitive.”

“I’m not,” snapped Hermione, as she stepped away from the table. “I just have all these letters to write and I’m not getting it done here.”

“You’re coming back for the party, aren’t you?” asked Molly anxiously, as she watched Hermione step up to fireplace. The only answer she got was a curt nod before Hermione was gone.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Chickens in the yard scattered, a few feathers lost in their scuttle amid angry squawking, as Harry, Ron and Sirius Apparated into the front yard at the Burrow. The scene was quaint and pastoral. Peaceful. The rickety house that came closer into view was swaying precariously in a light breeze which made Sirius smile.

Voices from around a corner pricked up his ears as he listened for one person in particular. As they approached the house, Sirius was vaguely aware of Ron trying to make some sort of justification for his mother.

They followed the sounds of the voices which grew louder indicating that there were a fair few in attendance. Just as they reached the corner of the house, an older woman, short, with a kind face and brilliant red hair nearly ran smack into them.

Molly Weasley gasped in surprise and then threw her arms around Sirius’ neck, giving him a tremendous hug.

“It’s so good to have you back,” she hissed sweetly in his ear.

Sirius liked her immediately.

“Sirius, this is my mum,” said Ron, as his mother released the Animagus.

“Molly Weasley,” she said, a slight flush in her face. “Sorry about that.”

“No, it’s quite alright,” said Sirius with a wide grin, flashing his pearly whites. “I wish all the pretty girls greeted me that way.”

“Oh, you!” said Molly indulgently, very nearly giggling, as she gave his arm a playful slap. “Well, you’re just a charmer, aren’t you?”

Sirius chuckled warmly. “Speaking of pretty girls-“

“Say no more,” said Molly, putting her hand up. “She’s here but be warned, she’s in quite a mood.”

“Ah, well. That’s just how I like her,” said Sirius with a cheeky grin. “Where is she?”

“So you’re back to fancying her, then?” asked Ron irritably.

“Ron,” said Molly, her voice sharp. “Give me a hand in the kitchen. Harry, you and Sirius relax out back,” she continued, giving Sirius a significant look. “It’s a lovely day given the season.”

Ron opened his mouth to protest but shut it when he caught his mother’s glare.

A tiny squeal rang out as they approached the back yard, followed by the sound of small feet in the undergrowth.

“Hexing the gnomes?” asked Harry curiously.

“It was a girl gnome batting her eyes and generally making a fool of herself to a boy gnome,” replied Hermione without looking up. She was sitting on a bench at a long wooden table that overlooked the garden. She was at the end closest to Harry and Sirius, looking aggravated, while Remus and Tonks sat at the other end. “It was for her own good.”

“Can’t let anyone have a little fun, can you?” teased Sirius, smirking as she startled. Her head popped around with narrowed eyes glaring at him.

“Don’t mind her,” said Ginny, as she came forward with a large smile. A crowd of people she had just been mingling with watched curiously as she greeted Sirius and Harry. “She’s been delightful all day.”

“That’s too bad, Granger,” said Sirius in mock sincerity. “Anything I can do to help cheer you up.”

“I’m perfectly fine as I am, thank you,” she said primly, straightening her spine. “I do not require your assistance.”

“Suit yourself,” said Sirius mildly, as his steps took him behind her seat. A low chuckle emanated from him as he passed by. She was sitting even straighter, stiff as board now, avidly watching his every move with heavy suspicion.

“Do you have any news on the break in, Harry?” asked Hermione, once Sirius was safely past her and walking toward Ginny.

“Come on Sirius,” said Ginny, with her hand outstretched. “There are some friendlier people over here. I don’t know what got into her, but perhaps it’s best to just let her be.” Sirius turned to watch Harry sit between Hermione and Tonks accepting Ginny’s hand.

When they had taken a few steps out of Hermione’s hearing range, Ginny whispered, “She’ll come around.”

“Of that,” said Sirius, with a confident, lazy grin. “I am absolutely certain.”

Ginny gave his hand a squeeze and let it go as they approached the group of people in the small yard. Sirius felt a vague recollection, almost like déjà vu, until he neared and realized it was actually memory. A memory of these same people in a different back yard, only for him it was a few months prior, for them… a lifetime ago.

There was the smiling face of Kingsley, Dedalus, Hestia, Mad Eye and…

Oh, god.

Emmeline.

“Well, well, well,” said Vance, with an appreciative smirk. “Look who it is, the man of the hour.”

From halfway across the yard there was a quiet feminine snort.

“’Lo, Em,” said Sirius quietly, shocked to see his teenage crush standing in front of him, a distinguished but somewhat portly wizard had his arm around Vance’s waist. It was sure to be her husband. Despite her twenty plus extra years, she was still a striking witch.

“Its Emmeline, Sirius,” said the older witch. “I can’t believe you still haven’t learned my name.”

As she spoke, Sirius realized something important, whatever he had felt for Emmeline, paled in comparison to the growing emotion he felt for Hermione. It was startling to think that he could develop feelings for the witch in the space of three days. While this had started somewhere very different, in misinterpreting his playfulness on her part and feeling challenged by her on his, for Sirius it was rapidly going somewhere altogether new. And apparently he was going there alone. Sirius’ lack of response created an oddly long and somewhat uncomfortable pause before Dedalus piped up in his squeaky voice.

“Emmeline was just telling us that she heard known Death Eaters were seen harassing someone, in London no less. Unfortunately we don’t have anymore details at the moment.”

“It was a false report, made by a witness and not the victim,” said Harry, who, Sirius noted, had walked over and left Hermione alone with Remus and Tonks. “A case of mistaken identity. The wizard harassed was none other than Cornelius Fudge, who told the investigating Auror that it wasn’t even a wizard much less a Death Eater. Just some Muggle, early twenties, wearing a dark trench coat. Apparently he tried to mug Fudge.”

Hestia chuckled. “Really? That was a bad move. Did Fudge report him to the Muggle authorities?”

“No,” said Harry. “Apparently Fudge Obliviated the Muggle and went on his way.”

“Is that, I don’t know, standard practice?” asked Emmeline

“There is no such thing with Fudge,” grumbled Harry.

“May I have your attention,” called out Molly. A veritable throng of red heads carrying various trays and platters followed out behind her. Sirius grinned widely as Harry gave him a shove forward. A table cloth had been spread on the table where Hermione had been sitting, although the witch herself was nowhere to be seen.

As a few people spoke words about how wonderful it was to have him back, Sirius could only wonder where Hermione had gone. He wanted to see her pretty face, even if it was only to scowl disapprovingly at him. The smile he stuck on his face was genuine and he did enjoy the food but at his very earliest opportunity he excused himself by asking Molly where the bathroom was.

She told him and then added, “Hermione is one floor up from there, first door on the right.”

Sirius grinned wickedly at Molly.

“You’re fairly mischievous, you know that?” he said, praise thick in his tone.

Molly snorted. “No, I just had a hand in the raising of Fred and George.”

At that Sirius gave her a puzzled look. Molly just smiled and shook her head. “Those are stories for another time. Go get your witch.”

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Ginny’s old room still donned the poster’s of the Weird Sisters and Gwenog Jones. Hermione was curled in a little ball of misery in the center of the tiny bed. There were tears just behind her eyes, she could feel the heat but couldn’t release them. Snakes that had taken up residence in her belly by the feel of it, and were on the move, and multiplying. She had never felt more miserable.

She was sulking and she knew it, and that made her even more unhappy.

‘One kiss, Hermione. That’s all I need.’

“Damn him,” she muttered softly. “And his bloody kisses.”

The house shuddered softly as someone came in and after a moment, were on the stairs. It was sure to be one of the Weasleys. Her ears perked for a moment.

“Bound to be Fred or George by the sound of it,” she said to no one but herself. The thundering on the steps preceded the banging open of the door. Hermione sat bolt upright in the bed and when she saw who it was she got to her feet in an angry huff.

“What are doing, Sirius?” she asked angrily.

“Probably something really stupid,” he answered, as he crossed to her.

“Keep your distance, Sirius,” she warned, wand in hand.

“Tell me something, Hermione,” said Sirius. He stood about three feet from her and didn’t look a bit alarmed at the wand pointed at him. “Have you ever felt an attraction to anyone the way you do to me?” He took a half step forward.

“Wh-what does that have to do with anything?” she stammered, the wand twitched in her shaking hand. Sirius took another half step.

“I,” he began and paused to sigh. His eyes roamed the walls for a moment before settling on his boots. “I have never…” Sirius raised his head to look at her, a storm roiling in his grey eyes. “I have never wanted a woman the way I want you,” he admitted, and dropped his head to speak to his boots again. “And it’s a little scary. “So…” he continued, raising his head to look her in the eye again. “So, I just want to know if it is the same for you.” He took another small step. The wand was almost touching his chest. “Because, I really think it is Hermione and life is too damn short, too unpredictable to waste opportunities for… for real passion.”

Hermione couldn’t speak, could barely breathe. The sheer honesty in his confession was just breath taking but she just couldn’t… wouldn’t give in to him. “S-Sirius I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied, but to no avail.

“Then let me show you,” he growled, and stepped right into the wand. It slid impotently up his chest as he pulled her against his body. One arm around her waist, the other hand was lost in her curls. He was close enough now that she could smell him and it had a numbing effect on her brain. It was the scent of musk, lavender and leather and it reminded her, oddly, of the Amortentia that Slughorn had brewed in sixth year.

He didn’t crush his lips to hers the way she expected but instead teased gently, nothing more than butterflies lighting on her lips. Resistance didn’t really come to mind because it was just so damned wonderful. As he added more pressure her mind drifted away pleasantly and when his tongue curled deliciously around hers, she lifted a leg, letting it ride up his thigh as she pressed herself impossibly close to his hard body.

The tiny fire that Ron had managed to ignite but never properly stoke couldn’t compare to the inferno that was licking through her veins. There was an agonizingly pleasurable ache between her legs, it flared and sizzled and made her rub her crotch against his thigh in a most wanton manner. She distantly heard something clatter to the floor.

“Hermione,” he whispered, as he broke away for air.

‘Hermione,’ she repeated moronically in her head. Which, after a moment had a clarifying affect and her eyes snapped open.

*SMACK*

Sirius jumped back, his expression hurt, rubbing his cheek where she had slapped him.

“What the bloody hell was that for!” he roared, his cheek now carried a perfect imprint of her hand.

“You kissed me!” she accused, wiping the wet from her mouth as her eyes glanced at the floor where her wand lay. In her haze she had dropped it without realizing.

“You kissed me back, Hermione,” said Sirius, pointing out a fact she didn’t want to deal with.

“I most certainly did not!” she denied hotly.

“Fine,” said Sirius. “Then do us both a favor and not kiss me some more.”

“Keep your lips to yourself, Sirius Black,” said Hermione, deftly out maneuvering his lunge as she escaped through the open door.