the_debt_of_time

"Er, I actually have something to do with Remus," he told her, frowning. "I wish I
could, I really do, but he needs my help on a... project he's working on. But you should
go out. Do something fun."
"I have been wanting to get my own copy of Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration,"
she said with a sigh that sounded as though she were mentally trying to talk herself into
going.
Before she had the chance to argue, Sirius kicked Draco's legs off of the table and
pulled his cousin up by his robes. "Draco will go with you."
"Is this because I drank your firewhisky?" Draco inquired, glaring at Sirius. "Fine.
Hurry and get your things, Granger. I want lunch first, and the last time I went to the Leaky
past eleven, the place was filled with people who were dead certain I was still a Death Eater.
The whole bloody place was in an uproar. I'd be grateful if I didn't have to repeat that
adventure," he said and then made his way into the other room, likely to search for Sirius's
bourbon while he waited.
"Why do you keep making me babysit the Slytherin?" Hermione pouted as she leant
against Sirius. "Do you know, the last time we went to Florean's, he lectured me for ten
minutes on the redundancy of putting chocolate fudge on chocolate ice cream. By the time
we got around to ordering, I didn't want to hear any more of it, so I caved and just ordered
strawberry."
Sirius felt his face warm over, and he swallowed hard. After taking a moment or
two to gather his composure, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. "He
needs a friend, and you're a good influence on him. If he's left with me for too long, he's
going to turn into a fucking alcoholic, and no one will like him."
"Language," Hermione said quietly.
Sirius chuckled and kissed her forehead.
Hermione sighed happily, leaning into his touch with a very obviously nervous
affection. The way she bit her lower lip was innocently adorable. "My birthday is in a few
days."
"I know." Sirius smiled almost sadly, tucking a curl of her hair behind her ears.
"And... And the day after my birthday.. ." she mumbled.
"I know," Sirius repeated, staring into her chocolate brown eyes. "And I promise,
I'll tell you everything then. There will be no secrets between us."