Sirius was much faster, of course, but before either could get a spell off their lips, a
shield erupted between them. It expanded across the tent, separating Ron from the other
three, visibly showing how the ties of friendship had been severed.
Glancing to the side, Sirius saw Hermione concentrating on the shield with her
wand drawn.
"You're really staying here, Hermione?" Ron asked and then cast his eyes balefully
at Sirius. "Who am I kidding? Of course you're staying here."
"We promised Harry!" Hermione cried, her wand still up—holding the weight of
the shield.
"Bullshit, Hermione." Ron scowled at her. "You're not here for Harry. You're here
for him," he said, pointing his wand at Sirius, who only growled in response. "Whatever
you did to bring him back changed you. He should have stayed dead."
Just as when Ron had brought up Harry's parents, causing Sirius to snap, Hermione,
apparently, had her own line to never cross. Sirius was not remotely surprised when she
yelled, "Get out!" and pushed her shield toward Ron, forcing him magically toward the tent
flap. "You don't belong here! Go away, grow up, and when this war is over and you've
finally matured a bit, come and apologise to us. But we are done here!"
"Damn right I am." Ron glared at her and then left.
Silence filled the tent as though Ron had taken all the noise with him. Hermione
looked up when Harry sniffed and wiped the sleeve of his shirt across his face. Sirius
clenched and unclenched his fists as he slowly calmed down.
Harry eventually took a breath, running a hand through his messy black hair in
frustration. He reached for the Horcrux. "I'll take first watch."
Sirius placed a hand on his godson's shoulder. "You sure?"
"Yeah, I need time to think, anyway. You two get some rest." Harry gave Hermione
a small smile, and she returned it briefly as he left the tent. When her gaze connected with
Sirius's, Hermione broke away immediately.
An hour later, when she could not stop thinking long enough to rest, Hermione sat
up and sighed. She looked at Sirius and frowned when she caught him staring at her,