the_debt_of_time

"No. Wait until I leave. It's... private."
Oh, for fuck's sake. Sirius rubbed his hands down his face, trying to make it look like
he was just tired.
"I mean, it's just... You might not like it. The next time I see you, you can tell me
if you like it."
"Is everything okay?"
"Hope so." Remus gave her a tight smile before letting her go, placing a hand on
Sirius's shoulder before vacating the library.
"Is he okay?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"He's got a lot on his mind," Sirius explained as he let out a breath he had been
holding. "We've been going through a few stints of nostalgia lately. Brought up some
intense memories from the past." He shrugged his shoulders and slowly walked completely
into the room, reaching for her bracelet-clad wrist and tugging her toward him, grinning
when she nervously swallowed. "It's almost the day after your birthday."
Hermione nodded, blushing.
Merlin, he was going to miss that.
"Before we dig into old magics and awkward adult conversations, will you allow an
old dog one last moment of recklessness?"
She nodded again, the words apparently stolen from her.
Shaking, Sirius cupped her cheek with the palm of his hand and leant in toward her,
ever so lightly brushing his lips against hers. He had to hold his breath to avoid catching
the scent of her, as the urge to devour her would be too strong otherwise. He wanted to
tell her everything right then and there, but Remus insisted that it was not how it happened
the first time. One kiss was all he was allowed. He wanted to tell her that everything would
be fine, and that he loved her more than he could ever possibly say—loved her just as she
was in this moment, as Hermione Granger, Muggle-born witch. He wanted to tell her that
he would always love her, no matter how she changed, or who she became, or what she
was called.
"Happy birthday, kitten," was what he ended up saying. "No matter what
happens... promise me you'll just try to be happy, all right?"
He thought of all the times Mia had been miserable growing up. The nightmares
that Hermione was already having, the ones she would carry with her into her life as Mia