the_debt_of_time

Sirius silently nodded in reply, finally looking up at her, grateful for the news of
Harry's safety. Tears began forming in her eyes, spilling over onto her cheeks, and it was
physically painful for him to not brush them off her skin.
She smiled at him and leant forward, pressing her lips to Sirius's forehead, and he
shivered in response.
"I have to go." Standing quickly, she turned to Remus, hugging him close to her
and chastely kissing his cheek. "Thank you."
Sirius watched as Remus clenched his jaw tightly while the girl held onto him, his
gaze meeting Tonks's sad smile as he let Hermione go.
"Thank you. I can't tell you.. ." Remus began but looked down, clearing his throat.
"Then don't." Hermione turned to give Tonks a hug. "Thank you so much for your
help."
Tonks grinned and hugged her back. "You know me, always up for a little
adventure."
Hermione laughed and made her way toward the Floo, glancing back once more.
As brown eyes met grey, she exhaled shakily and turned her attention back to Remus and
Tonks. "Can you call an Order meeting? Tomorrow night? If he's well enough, bring him
to the Burrow; if not, then... I'll just explain as best I can, but the Order needs to know."
She gave them all a smile as she threw the powder into the fireplace and said, "The
Burrow!"
"What the hell happened, Remus?" Sirius roared the moment Hermione vanished.
He sat up, albeit too quickly, and started to slide off the sofa before Tonks rushed to his
side to help him stay upright. He grimaced, bringing a hand to his head.
"You should be resting, idiot," Tonks scolded. "Do you want some Sleeping
Draught?"
"I want some firewhisky," Sirius grumbled.
"That's definitely not going to happen." Remus shook his head firmly as he
approached the fireplace.
On the mantle rested a stack of parchment, an inkwell, and a set of quills. While
Sirius complained under his breath from the sofa, Remus scribbled out several short notes,
folded them quickly, and walked over to the window where a small cage housed a young