Disclaimer: Don't we know it by heart now? None of this is mine. Not a drop or a speck. Therefore no money is being made from it. Not a drop or a speck. Please enjoy!!
A/N: Yeah, I just can't bring myself to keep Sirius dead. So, he's alive and well in this story and a free man at that! And now he's determined to get his godson with the girl of his dreams. Will Harry and Hermione cooperate?
Told in Sirius' POV (a new one for me).
Please Read & Review!!
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Harry's sixth year was beginning the same as the rest … with one small change. This time, he had a legal guardian with him. That's right, the summer in between fifth and sixth year's, we caught that rat (please excuse the pun) Peter Pettigrew and I was exonerated. Now, I was able to ride the Hogwarts Express with Harry and his friends. I didn't have a specific reason other than I dearly missed that old train.
As we walked into the Entrance Hall, my breath caught in my throat. I was actually walking into my Alma Mater a free man (and as a man at that, not my scruffy alter ego). Hermione gave me a quick squeeze before we went up to Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady flinched a bit at the sight of me, and I can't really blame her. Harry assured her that everything was ok and this was perfectly legal. She tentatively said ok and let us all in.
Tears came to my eyes as we entered the Common Room. Nothing had changed.
"Harry, I'm going to take my stuff up and then go meet Lavender, ok?" Ron said.
"Yeah, sure, Ron. We'll catch up with you later," Harry replied. And Ron was off.
"I think I'm going to take Crookshanks up as well. I'll be right back down and then we can get ready for the Great Feast, ok?" Hermione said, flashing Harry a bright smile.
"Um, fine, Hermione," Harry stammered back.
As Hermione walked away, I could see my godson watching her backside.
"Careful, Harry. One would think you aren't having very gentlemanly thoughts of young Hermione," I said.
"Huh? What?" was all he could reply.
"Harry, just admit it to me, I can relate. You like her, don't you?"
"More than I can put into words."
"Good Lord, Harry. Do you love her?" I asked, quite shocked that he could be having such strong feelings so young. But then, why should I be shocked, it was in his genes.
"I don't know, Sirius. I don't know what love it. I haven't had a lot of practice at it."
I winced at that comment. If not for a tragic misunderstanding, Harry would know love. I would have made sure of it.
"I'm so sorry," was all I could tell him.
"Sirius, you can't blame yourself. You wanted to take me, but circumstances just didn't allow. It's not your fault the Dursleys are selfish pigs."
"I know. But I'll tell you one thing, deep love is in your history. Your grandparents (both sets) were perfect couples. And well, you've heard the stories of your parents. Why don't you tell me how you feel about Hermione? I'll tell you if it's love or not."
"Suddenly you're the expert?" Harry jabbed with a grin.
"Hey, I may have been the most fickle of the Marauders, but I think I can tell what love is, thank you very much."
"Ok, ok. Well, when I see her, my heart skips a beat. When she speaks, even when it's to yell at me, it sounds like an angel singing. When she starts twirling her hair and biting her lip when she's thinking about a particularly difficult Arithmancy problem, I just want to kiss those lips and …. Well, you get the point," he said with a blush.
I smiled. He was a sixteen year old boy for goodness sakes. I didn't blame him for wanting her like that, it was just strange for me since I really only began to know him a few years back. Last I really remembered, he was a year old and sleeping peacefully in his mother's arms.
"Harry, my boy, I'm sorry to tell you, but you've got it bad. Any chance she feels the same?"
"Are you crazy?!"
"It's widely rumored."
"Come on, Sirius. Why would a great girl like that want me? She deserves so much more."
"What's wrong with you? You've got looks, personality, and let's face it, quite a bank account!"
"She wouldn't be the type to go for money," Harry said, almost wistfully. "She'll need someone who can think like her."
"You're smart!" I protested.
"No, not like her. She's Ravenclaw smart. I'm just not on her level. I'm not in her league," he sighed and stared into the fire.
Right then and there, I vowed to work my magic and find a way to bring these two together. I had my suspicions that she had similar feelings for my dear godson and if she was anything like Lily (like I knew she was), I knew I they would make an amazing couple.
As Hermione came back down the stairs, looking straight at Harry, the gears were turning in my head and I knew it was going to be an interesting year.