Four days had passed since Ron and Harry had returned from the Horcrux hunt. Four days she had spent perfecting her Sirius-ignoring skills, four days he had spent thinking up clever and annoying ways to try to make her acknowledge him in a room full of people.

She had spent most of her time going over the books they had about Dark Arts, trying to find any bit of information she might have missed before related to Horcruxes and, surprisingly, Sirius had spent almost as much time on it, sitting next to her and helping with the research. He couldn't touch the books, or turn the pages, so every time they were alone she would open a book for him and turn the pages with a twirl of her wand whenever he finished reading one.

That very morning, about two hours after she had fallen asleep –after yet another night of conversation with Sirius- Ron had barged into her room to tell her Kingsley was there with the book he'd promised to bring over.

She had thanked Kingsley for the book, glad she finally had something new to read, something focused on the subject she needed, and then locked herself in the library, unable to waste a single minute.

Hours later she was still there, in the library, with the book Kingsley had brought open on her lap and Sirius sitting beside her, although the excitement had turned to disappointment when it became clear the book didn't hold as much information as she had first hoped. They were both so focused on the book, however, on the little facts it provided as they tried to find something useful, that neither noticed Ron and Harry walking into the room until they plunged on either side of her on the couch, Harry sitting right through Sirius.

"Well, isn't this nice," he huffed, getting up and walking to an empty chair a few feet from them. No matter how many times it happened, or the fact that he didn't feel anything –or so he'd said- Sirius still hated people sitting where he was.

Without a word, Harry took the book from her hands, closed it, and dropped it on the coffee table in front of them. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"You've been reading that book since Kingsley brought it," Harry said, batting her hands away when she tried to get it back.

"So?"

"So," Ron said, in that condescending tone he used when talking to first years at Hogwarts, "that was almost nine hours ago. You even skipped lunch."

"Nine hours?" Sirius asked, stretching his arms over his head, "no wonder I feel so stiff."

She barely caught herself before she shushed him, opted for a half-hidden glare, and focused on the other two wizards in the room.

"Unlike you, Ronald, some people can go a few hours without stuffing their mouths with food."

Without giving either of them time to speak, she stood up and turned around, towering over them with a glare. Even Sirius seemed to have been rendered speechless by her sudden reaction. It was good to know there actually was a way to keep him quiet.

"And in case you two have forgotten," she continued, "this book that's been keeping me from important things, such as food, has information on Horcruxes, information that could help us understand their magic, maybe even give us a way to track them down and destroy them. Since it seems I'm the only one here willing to go over it, you two might as well leave me to it and go back to playing Quidditch. That is sure to help us defeat Voldemort."

With that, she turned around, took the book back and stormed out of the library, ignoring Sirius' bark of laughter and Ron's, "What's got her knickers in a twist?"

She fumed all the way up the stairs, going straight to her bedroom and banging the door behind her, then locking it with every spell she could think of, least Ron or Harry would risk being cursed into oblivion by going after her. She just wanted to be left alone, was that so hard to understand?

"That's some impressive temper you have there, love," she heard Sirius said, and responded with a groan as she turned around to where the voice had come from.

"What are you doing here?"

Sirius leaned back against the door, arms crossed over his chest and a teasing smile on his lips. "Thought you could use the company."

"If I wanted company I wouldn't have locked the door," she said, walking to the small window and looking down at the busy street, promising herself to find a spell or ward that would keep him out of the room, too. He was, after all, the real reason why she was so on edge, always teasing her, trying to catch her attention with other people in the room. For someone who had so adamantly asked her not to tell anyone she could see him, it seemed rather strange how he wouldn't waste any opportunity to make others notice she was acting crazy.

"Now, no need to bite my head off, love, I come in peace," he said, doing his best to look innocent when she turned to glare at him.

She took a deep breath, trying to control her anger before speaking again. "This is all your fault, you know?" He raised an eyebrow in question, as if he didn't know what she meant. He knew damn well, the bastard.

"If I remember correctly, we were getting along just dandy before they arrived, I don't see how I had anything to do with you being angry with them. In fact," he said, walking to the bed and sitting on the edge, "I think what you said to them had been on your mind for some time, now."

"I…" Well, he was probably right, but she wasn't about to admit that, now was she? She had never taken Sirius for someone with the least amount of insight; the more she got to know him, the more surprised she was at what she found. "I shouldn't have yelled at them like that," she finally said, walking to the bed and sitting next to Sirius, but making sure she was far enough not to feel his energy on her skin. "It's always like this, they go have fun, relax, and leave me to take care of the research, the planning... It's become their default behaviour, they assume I will do it, take it for granted. They wait until I go over it all, then jump in when it's ready."

Sirius leaned back so he was resting on his elbows, head turned her way as he waited silently for her to continue. Part of her wanted him to change the subject, to make a joke, lighten the mood, but the other part wanted to get it out, and if it was Sirius the one she was saying it to, then so be it.

"I don't even know why I'm complaining," she said with a sad laugh. "Merlin knows they're both hopeless at research, I'm probably better off doing it on my own."

"Now that I can believe," he said, and his smile brought one of her own.

"Still, it's not about to change; I just wish they'd leave me to it instead of trying to look over me, to decide when I need a break."

"Well, even at risk of drawing your anger my way, and trust me when I say that's not something I'd risk lightly, you can be bloody scary, I have to agree with them on this one; perhaps you do need a break."

"I don't," she said, feeling her temper quickly coming back. "What I need is to find a way to get those last two Horcruxes and destroy them."

"Well, love, in case you have forgotten, we went over that book twice already, and there's nothing there that would help us do it."

"Then I'll contact Kingsley, ask him to bring-" she started, but a soft knock on the door interrupted her. "This better not be Harry or Ron, or I swear…" she muttered, as she got up and walked to the door.

"Hermione?"

It was Ginny's voice that came from the other side, and Hermione lifted the spells locking the door to let her in, wondering what she could want.

"Who were you talking to?" was the first thing the witch asked, as soon as she saw they were alone in the bedroom, and Hermione barely managed to hold back a groan. She was getting tired of hearing that question.

"No one," she said, as she closed the door again. "Just thinking out loud."

"Oh," Ginny muttered hesitantly. "Is everything all right?"

Well, that was another question she was getting tired of. "Sure, why?"

"I just talked to Ron and Harry, they're worried about you."

"Of course they are," she whispered, turning around and heading back to the bed.

"If you want to talk to someone, you know I'm here, don't you?"

"I think she's got plenty of people to talk to as it is," Sirius laughed.

"So true," she whispered, then said, "I know," loud enough for Ginny to hear. "I'm all right, I promise, I'm just tired."

"Well, actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

The sudden smile on Ginny's lips made her narrow her eyes in suspicion. It was entirely too similar to the one the twins wore when they were up to something.

It took but a second for Ginny to catch up on what she was thinking, and then she did her best to look innocent. "Now don't look at me like that!" she said, as she walked to the bed and sat next to her, Sirius quickly crawling backwards so she wouldn't sit on him. Or would that be through him?

"Bloody people, never watching where they sit," he muttered as he sat back against the headboard.

"Then don't smile at me that way," she said to Ginny. "You looked entirely too pleased with yourself, nothing good can come from that."

Ginny waved her hand in the air, dismissing her comment as she turned just enough to face her. "You said you were tired, Hermione. You have been working on your research non-stop for days now, and you need a break."

"Oh, no, not you too. I don't need a break, I just-"

"Hush now, no interrupting," she said, to Sirius' apparent amusement. "So, as I was saying," she continued, ignoring Hermione's scowl, "you need a break, so we're going out tonight. Well, sneaking out, really."

She opened her mouth to refuse, but Ginny lifted her hand to stop her before she could utter a sound, a stern expression replacing the smile on her face.

"Oh, I like this one!" Sirius said, but she ignored his comment and his laughter as Ginny continued to speak. She was getting much better at ignoring him, she decided.

"Hermione, you have done little but research for months now. You haven't left this house since your dad got sick other than to see him. You need a break."

"Well, I have to agree with the bird here, you look ready to explode, wild eyes, wild hair…"

Turning back to glare at Sirius she hissed, "Nobody asked for your opinion," then silently cursed herself for letting him rile her up. She looked at Ginny, and realised the witch probably thought she had been talking to her. "I'm sorry, maybe I do need a little time off," she said, with a small smile.

"Now don't get me wrong," Sirius said, his voice carrying over her own, as he reached forward, his hand going to her hair, and she had to close her eyes and take a deep breath to stop her body from shivering at the sensation, "I love the wild curls, love, I was just saying…"

"See?" Ginny muttered, bringing Hermione's attention back to her as she slid further to the edge of the bed, away from Sirius. "One minute we're talking calmly, the next you are glaring and snapping angrily at me. You never acted like this before, Hermione. I really think you need to get out and have some fun, maybe you'll meet someone. Oh, don't roll your eyes at me, witch, I can't remember the last time I saw you notice a wizard at all. In fact," she continued thoughtfully, "in all the years I've known you I've only ever caught you staring at one wizard. Then again, he was worth the stare. I don't think there was a witch on the planet that could keep her eyes off Sirius Black."

Hermione knew her eyes were wide open and her lips parted in disbelief at what Ginny had just said, just as she knew her cheeks were as flushed as they could get.

"Now that's interesting," Sirius said, as he scooped closer to them, and even though she was purposefully looking away from him she knew there would be a smug smirk on his lips.

"I've never stared at Sirius Black," she said in a harsh whisper, feeling shivers run up her spine as Sirius moved close enough to let her feel his energy all over her skin. She wanted to move away from him, but if she stood up she would have to turn to face Ginny, and that would leave her face to face with him. No, having him sitting this close seemed like the better option, at the moment.

"Come on, Hermione, there's no need to be embarrassed! I know the two of you didn't get along, but there's no use in denying the obvious. You spent an entire summer drooling after him when you thought no one would notice."

"I do not drool after anyone, Ginevra," she said, but her glare seemed to have no effect on the witch. In fact, she was still smirking, which pissed her almost as much as what she had just said.

"Now don't interrupt her, love," Sirius said, moving through her to the edge of the bed and standing. "I want to know what Red here has to say."

"Don't do that," she hissed, closing her eyes as she tried to control the shivers he'd caused.

"Do what?" Ginny asked. "I'm merely stating a fact. It has been entirely too long since you've left yourself have some fun; you're overdue."

"I'm not overdue for anything," she said firmly, scowling at the wicked smirk Ginny's last word had put on Sirius' lips. "Now if you don't mind, I have things I need to do before-"

"Hermione, please," Ginny said, grabbing her hand when she tried to stand and walk away.

"Ginny, just leave me-"

Before she could finish the sentence Ginny was speaking again. "All right, maybe I haven't been entirely honest with you," the witch said, with a pleading expression on her face. "I'm meeting Dean tonight, in a pub in Diagon Alley."

"Dean Thomas?" she asked, surprised, and Ginny nodded. "Dean Thomas from Hogwarts? The Dean Thomas you said you didn't want to ever see again after your last fight?"

Ginny let go of her hand and started fidgeting with her robes. "The thing is, it's not really a date or anything. He's going there with his friends, and I said I might see him there, but I can't go alone."

"I didn't know you two were seeing each other again."

"We're not, but after what happened with Harry…I'm moving on," she said, in a firm tone. "Now don't get me wrong, I meant what I said about you needing to relax, I just thought I'd kill two birds with the same stone, as they say."

"Don't let her get sidetracked, go back to the Sirius-gawking conversation," Sirius said, talking over Ginny as he leaned back against her desk, a fake pout on his lips.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" she asked Ginny, doing her best to ignore Sirius' comment and trying to fight what was left of the blush on her cheeks.

"I said," Sirius replied, walking closer to her, "to go back to talking about me."

"Shh," she said, trying to silence Sirius, then turned it into a "Shhhure," when she realised she was talking to him again. Then she remembered what she was agreeing on, and tried to find her way around it. "Sure," she repeated, "it makes sense, but I really don't feel like going out tonight, Ginny. I'm sorry. Maybe you could go with Luna instead?" she suggested. "You haven't gone out with her in weeks."

"Well, I don't-"

"You said it yourself, I need some rest, and going out probably isn't the best idea. I'm sure you and Luna will have a great time, and it's Dean you want to see after all, isn't it?"

"Well, yes, but…"

Sirius was still talking, and she was sure he was saying something annoying, but she did her best to focus on Ginny as she promised her she would join her the next time, and tried to get the girl to leave as politely as she could.

"So, drooling over me, huh?" Sirius said, the second the door was closed, and she took a deep breath before turning to face him again. "Can't say I'm surprised," he said, with a small smirk, as he looked down at himself.

"Stop it," she hissed, as she leaned back against the door, torn between embarrassment, anger, and amusement at his comment.

"Don't spoil my fun, love. I like knowing you spent an entire summer staring at me. I certainly wouldn't mind you sharing some of the naughty thoughts I bet you had while gawking," he said with a wink, as he moved closer to her.

"All right, this is enough," she said, lifting her hand to try to stop him getting too close. He stopped in front of her, his chest almost against her hand, making her entire arm prickle with his energy. "We need to set some ground rules." He lifted an eyebrow in question, but for once remained silent. "I understand I'm the only person here who can see and hear you, but this is driving me crazy. I don't want to start searching for a spell that will stop me from hearing you, and I don't think you want that either, so we'll have to reach an arrangement."

"What do you propose?" he asked, leaning slightly closer to her until she could feel the warm energy all over her body. She switched her weight from one foot to the other, wanting to duck away from him but refusing to show him the effect his nearness had on her. He was already smug enough about what he had just heard.

"You have to stop talking to me when someone else does, trying to get me to say something to you in front of others. It's been four days, and they're beginning to think I've really gone crazy."

"You're taking all my fun away," he said, with a pout.

"And no more sneaking into my bedroom in the middle of the night to wake me up because you're bored."

"Then what do you propose I do when you're sleeping?"

"Go back to counting Ron's snores, go for a walk, I don't know. I need to sleep."

"I'll see what I can do. Is that all?" he asked, in a resigned tone.

"No, there's one more thing," she said. "No more sitting on the ground when I'm sitting on the sofa and wearing a dress, trying to catch a glimpse of my knickers to then tease me about them for the entire afternoon, or we're going to have a problem."

He laughed then, that loud bark of laughter she had become accustomed to in the last few days, as he said, "That, love, I cannot promise. Black lace is so tempting."