the_debt_of_time

"Just, erm, don't let Harry or Ron see me like this."
She rested for days. Eventually, her back healed well enough to be bandaged and dressed, but still
Hermione slept because Sirius told her to.
While Padfoot dozed soundly beside her, she would sit up and read, research, and think about
where the next Horcrux could be. Sirius would wake and feed her, check her wound, and tell her that the
scar was not ugly, once even comparing it to a beautiful river that spread its way down the back of her
shoulder.
Hermione had blushed at the compliment and graciously accepted the little food he was able to bring
her. It was strangely domestic and comfortable, especially considering they were in the middle of a war.
Mia dreamt of the past and of an older Sirius. She could almost still feel him beside
her as she slowly began to wake. If she concentrated hard enough, she could hear his husky
voice speaking to her, see him looking at her in such a way that made her feel as though
she were melting from the inside out. He had the confidence that a younger Sirius had, but
was refined and almost controlled. He had faced his issues, while the younger Sirius was
still bearing the heavy weight of guilt with which his family had burdened him. Younger
Sirius feared the bond; older Sirius embraced it.
"You... You know? You knew? This whole time?"
"About the bond?"
She had blushed at him, and he had smiled.
"One day, you won't do that anymore."
"Do what?" Hermione asked quietly as Sirius made his way to the tent door.
"Be embarrassed about how I make you feel."
She was not embarrassed. Not anymore. Mia breathed in deep and smelled him.
"Mmm... Sirius," she moaned as she breathed in the scent. Parchment and grass and...
and... chocolate?
Fuck.
Her eyes opened wide in embarrassed horror, hoping to Merlin that she had not
actually spoken out loud, though she knew she had. She leant upward against the chest she
was sleeping against to come face to face with not grey but green eyes looking down at her
curiously.
Remus slowly raised a questioning brow as Mia held her breath and swallowed hard.
"I think it's time we talked."