[HP Doujin] take care of you

"It's simple, but it's tiring after having Rose." Hermione admitted reluctantly. "But Mrs. Weasley says it's normal. Anyway, I like doing things the Muggle way. That's how I was brought up. I want Ross to know that magic isn't the only way..."

She lowered her head, bit her lip, and her voice became lower and lower.Sirius stopped, tilting his head to look at her.He'd known Hermione since she was 13, and became close to her after returning from the Veil.After all, she was Harry's best friend and helped his godson survive the final battle.She also reminded Sirius of Lily, and he thought he was glad Harry had someone like his mother in his life.

So it was no surprise that Sirius could easily read Hermione's mind.She has never been good at hiding her thoughts, and she is no exception now.Hermione wanted to ask him something.

"Are you all right, Hermione?"

She looked up at him and ran her hands through her thick hair.

"Oh, yes." She paused. "I just wanted to... talk to you. I think this will be the only time..."

"Hermione?"

She bit her lip again, then let go.

"You haven't spoken to Ginny in a while."

Sirius froze.He should have known it was about Ginny.It's always like this, isn't it?Indeed.He hadn't written to Ginny for more than two months.Even before that, writing to her had been difficult.After they had last seen each other in February, he had realized how worn out she was, how worn out he was.They are tired of fighting for each other.As much as he missed her and was sad, he knew that unless the Reticent Man found out, he couldn't be in her life now and then.she is so young...

What if the silent man can never help?

"Sirius?"

Sirius put aside these thoughts and smiled crookedly at Hermione.

"What did she tell you?"

Hermione nodded.

"You didn't write to her for her birthday," said Hermione softly.

Sirius ran his hands through his hair and shook his head.

"I don't know what I can say." Sirius replied slowly. "You know, I wish it was easier between me and her, but it's not."

"Of course. I think she understands, too."

Hearing Hermione's words, Sirius looked at her more intently.

"Is she okay?"

Hermione avoided his eyes, but nodded anyway.

"Hermione, what are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing! Here you go, take the tray, I think the water is hot enough now—"

"Hermione." Sirius said harshly.

Hermione nervously twirled a glass on the tray before meeting Sirius' eyes.

"I've always supported you and Ginny," Hermione told him. "I hope the issues between you guys can be resolved. I know it's hard...but..."

"Is she dating someone else?"

It was only after Sirius asked that he realized he was thinking about it.He waited for an answer and saw Hermione blushing.

"I'm not sure. She hasn't told anyone. I'm one of her closest friends, but she won't. I've been busy taking care of Rose. But I... think so. I just can... feel it. ' Hermione stammered.

Sirius felt his world tilted, and he closed his eyes tightly.Of course Ginny was dating someone else.Didn't he want her to be like this?Shouldn't she be... what?restart?Starting over without him?He was distraught and felt a little uncomfortable.Hermione touched his arm and he opened his eyes again.

"I don't want you to lose your chance."

Sirius shook his head and suddenly laughed.

"What chance? What chance do I have, I can't even—"

"Hermione! Where are you?"

Ron's cry startled both Hermione and Sirius.Sirius glanced back, realizing that everyone was still waiting for tea and biscuits.He turned to see Hermione picking up the tray, frowning.

"Teddy's starving!" said Ron, laughing.

"Starving to death!" Teddy said too.

"Skinny, this kid—"

At this point, Ron was interrupted by the loudest scream Sirius had ever heard.Ross woke up.Hermione smashed a teacup and took a deep breath.

"Ron!"

-*.*.*-

2004. 1, 5

"What are you looking at?"

Ginny couldn't take her eyes off it.This is his second appearance in the paper this month.The first time he had gone with Harry because of a ball sponsored by the Ministry of Magic.Harry was always in the papers, so Ginny didn't think much of it.After all, she only saw Sirius' name in that article.But this time it was very different.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Blaise touched Ginny's shoulder, startling her.She looked up at him, forcing herself not to look at the photo again.That scene lingered in her mind, and even when she looked at Blaise, she could see Sirius and the woman.

"You look a bit like a zombie now, what's up - is that Sirius Black?"

Ginny cleared her throat and looked again at the newspaper that Blaise had noticed.That was indeed Sirius.with a woman.is kissing her.

"I didn't know you liked the gossip page," Blaise said, picking up the paper from the table in front of her.

"I didn't," Ginny said softly.

She feels sick.

"I can't believe they're stalking this murderer like a celebrity. It's in the paper!"

Ginny rolled her eyes and stood up from the table.She folded her arms across her chest and looked out across the bedroom at the snow-covered ground.It was still morning and she had just woken up.A house-elf in Blaise had put some hot tea, biscuits, and the day's newspaper on the table.Ginny was awakened by the smell of food, and she ate the biscuit while flipping through the newspaper, not realizing what she was looking for.

"He's not a murderer."

Blaise snorted with a laugh.

"I remember hearing about him when I was a kid. Remember when he broke into Hogwarts to kill Potter?"

Ginny rested her head against the window, resisting the urge to roll her eyes again.

"He's cleared of all charges, Zabini."

"Yeah, well, I still think it's crazy that you're all hanging out with him."

"He's Harry's godfather," Ginny pointed out.

She watched a flock of birds flying overhead in a V formation.

"Potter made him look like a saint."

Ginny gave a smirk.

"I wouldn't go that far," she replied. "But he's a good man."

She heard Blaise sit down and pour himself a cup of tea.

"A nice guy and... ah, what's her name, the woman he was making out with? How did he get these women? He's been in Azkaban so long, he's probably crazy."

Ginny blushed and turned to look at Blaise.He didn't seem to notice that Ginny was on the verge of cursing him.Although Blaise didn't know about Ginny's previous relationship with Sirius, at least she thought he knew nothing about it, it still stung her when he commented on Sirius so nonchalantly.

"Just last week I saw him with another witch who was also very pretty."

"What are you talking about?" Ginny snapped.

Blaise looked up at her with dark eyes, seeing her anger.

"I never said that I don't read gossip editions." He leaned back in the chair, narrowed his eyes, and said slowly. "When I'm not sleeping with you, there's nothing else to do."

Ginny crossed her arms.Blaise and Ginny have been sleeping for months, indeed.He was bored and so was she.Zabini's mother was reluctant to put her only son to work, so she gave Blaise one of the estates she had received from her many deceased husbands.In addition to the manor, there is also a monthly allowance, which Ginny can't understand at all.Brace won't have to fight for his life anytime soon.

Their relationship had grown close after he'd seen her break down a few months earlier.Ginny knew that she and Blaise could only be friends with benefits, but she also thought he was a good friend, a good friend like Pencey.Although they were obviously very different, he was still a Slytherin at heart, but they got along well.When their group gets together occasionally, they ignore each other until everyone is too drunk to pay attention to their interactions.

"Is he in the papers often?" asked Ginny.

Blaise agreed.

"Being a convicted felon obviously attracts media attention—"

"He's not a felon," exclaimed Ginny, holding up her hand. "Stop calling him that. He's not crazy either."

Blaise smiled and raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right," he agreed sarcastically, then paused. "But you seem crazy now. Do you care if he's in the papers?"

Ginny brushed the hair from her face, trying to find an answer.She could give Blaise many excuses, but she couldn't seem to think of any.