Chapter 10

Thursday rolled around and Hermione found herself having to rush to her first class having slept in. She really needed to talk to Sirius about meeting earlier because she had missed breakfast everyday that week; not that she minded over much but the time spent with him left her ravenous.

Hermione grinned as the nights escapades flitted across her mind and she tried valiantly to suppress the blush forming on her cheeks as she slid into a chair beside Harry who looked like he had had a fight with Hedwig over some bacon, his hair stood up in every which direction.

"Everything ok Harry?" she asked, noticing his blood shot eyes and yellowish pallor.

"Fine" he mumbled digging into his bag for his quill and ink bottle. She was about to press him further when Professor Babbling entered through her office and began handing out the runes to be interpreted in pairs. Hermione decided she would ask him later what had him so keyed up and set to work.

The class dragged on until the bell finally rang and the students gratefully vacated the class and headed toward their common rooms. Harry was sluggishly dragging his feet behind Hermione and she became frustrated at his endless forlorn sighs; taking a deep calming breath she rounded on him.

"If you sigh one more time Harry Potter I swear I will hex you from here back to Ancient Runes" she threatened.

Harry looked up at her startled as if he had just noticed she was there. "Sorry 'Mione, I'm just a little distracted"

"Hadn't noticed, I mean you only scribbled on the desk the entire class while I had to do all the work" she bit out a bit harsher than she had intended. Her lack of sleep and Harry's lack of attention had taken their toll.

"I said I was sorry!" he almost yelled and several students turned to watch the heated exchange, "I have a lot on my mind right now so if you will excuse me I have to go and get ready for the swimming lesson so I at least look good when I drown," he spat and pushed past her heading toward the marble staircases. Hermione watched him go and ran a hand through her hair in frustration; she had been so preoccupied with her own life that she had completely forgotten all about Harry's fear of the water.

Sighing again and feeling more than a little guilty she followed him quickly catching up before he reached the stairs.

"Harry wait," she called and grabbed his arm.

"What?" he asked angrily spinning around to face her.

"I'm sorry I forgot that was today, I didn't mean to snap" she said apologetically. Harry seemed to deflate as the anger went out of him.

"That's ok, I'm sorry to," he said and run a hand through his hair making it stick up even more, "I just don't know what to do. I'm just not ready for this; I'm not ready to humiliate myself in front of the class. Can you imagine if this gets out, the headline will read 'The-boy-who-lived can't swim' I will be a laughing stock" he wailed. Hermione looked at him now understanding why he was so stressed and made a decision that she may later regret.

"Listen Harry," she said quietly, "I can help you get out of this" she grabbed his wrist and pulled him behind a statue of a centaur with a crossbow. She rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a small cloth pouch.

"I confiscated these off some second years on my way to class this morning. Their some of Fred and Georges Skiving Snack boxes," she handed it over and Harry looked at her speculatively.

"Are you sure?" he asked one of the sweets already half way to his mouth.

"Yes as long as you say I had nothing to do with this" she hissed noticing the crowds were growing thicker and they could be exposed at any minute. Harry nodded and bit off half of the trick candy. His nose began to bleed almost immediately and he clamped a hand to it trying to stem the flow.

"Thanks 'Mione" he grinned and slipped out from behind the statue. She watched him move toward the hospital wing and tried not to laugh as students jumped out his way after seeing the blood.

She made her way to the pool where several other students were waiting excitedly chatting among themselves. Hermione couldn't help the little jolt that coursed through her lower belly as the familiar smell of chlorine assaulted her senses; a smell she now strongly associated with Sirius Black.

She was lost in a day dream where Sirius had her pressed into the edge of the pool and she was trapped between his arms unable to turn around to see the naked lust in his eyes when Madam Hooch's whistle sounded in the hallway. She visibly jumped but no one noticed as they made their way into the pool.

The lesson went well and Madam Hooch was suitably pleased that everyone had a fair grasp on the strokes that she let them all leave early. They headed off for the showers and Hermione took her time staying under the warm stream much longer than anyone else. She was the last to leave the change rooms and as she headed to the door she was caught by surprise when an arm snaked out to catch her around the waist. She gasp and spun but the room was empty.

"Whose there?" she hissed pressing her back against the door and drawing her wand. Sirius suddenly appeared with the invisibility cloak in hand.

"Sirius" she cried and ran into his arms. He kissed her deep and long and when he pulled back they were both out of breath. "What are you doing here?" she asked with a smile.

"Harry asked me to come and watch. Where is he?" he asked running his hands down her back and making her shiver.

"Hospital wing with a blood nose" she replied kissing the side of his neck.

"How much time do we have?" Sirius asked closing his eyes as her lips moved against his unshaven skin.

"About an hour" she mumbled looking up at him with desire.

"Plenty of time" he growled right before he took her lips in a kiss them left them both dizzy and breathless.

The End

A/N – This chapter just didn't want to get written but I so wanted to do a 10th chapter for BdM and especially when Lepusia requested it for her 21st birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!).

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