Chapter Five
Sad Sitting Sods
But nothing's greater than the rush^
That comes with your embrace
And in this world of loneliness
I see your face
(Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis)August 1st, 1997"Careful there," Hermione said as she approached Sirius, taking the seat beside him
at the large round table in the back of the marquee.
The table was flanked by empty chairs, and half-empty bottles of butterbeer dotted
the place settings that surrounded them. Everyone else under the tent was on their feet,
dancing beneath the floating candles that lit up the room, enjoying the company, and
congratulating Bill and Fleur.
Sirius eyed Hermione curiously. "Careful of what?"
"Careful, or you might bury yourself so deep in this misery you're wallowing in, that
you'll come out the other side cheerful." She leant over and gently bumped his shoulder
with her own, drawing a small smile out of him. Her own smile was bright and joyful, and
her eyes sparkled.
He raised an amused brow at her. "How many butterbeers have you had?"
"Three, but that's beside the point."
Sirius chuckled at what a lightweight she was as he took a sip from the small glass
of firewhisky on the table in front of him, letting the liquid roll over his tongue pleasantly
before swallowing and cherishing the familiar heat that burned its way down his throat.
Hermione looked out at the crowd and laughed quietly, pointing out Ron
uncomfortably trying to dance with Luna Lovegood, who was obviously quite content to
dance by herself. The strange, twirling movements the girl was making had no need for a
partner.
"I told him that he should ask her to dance. I think he's regretting listening to me."