All the way IIII: Change

Hermione knew what it all meant. Blurry eyes, a white light, heavy limbs. It all added up to another night in the Hospital wing. She took a moment to think of why she would be there, and when she did remember, she blinked to clear her vision and looked around.

Poppy bustled over, telling her to drink potions and checking her over. The medi witch told her that Severus was down in the dungeons, where she had sent him with strict instructions to sleep. She didn't ask any questions. Hermione thanked her and, against the older womans wishes, left the ward.

Hermione never thought about THE POTION if she could help it. THE POTION was a silly risk that she had taken, though it had probably saved her life. But she couldn't help thinking about it now. Did THE POTION still work when a person hallucinated? It didn't seem like it, because she had been so utterly terrified that it shocked her to think back on it.

She felt fine now, anyway.

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After Sirius had showered and dressed, he went to find Eileen. He had heard her up and about, so he knew she was awake. He had hoped she would have stayed up with him last night, but no. On the one night he wants to stay up, she wants an early night!

He groaned mentally. He sounded like an old married man.

But he liked Eileen. He liked her. He like liked her. And not in a purely platonic way.

And know he thought on it, most of his other girlfriends or partners or one night stands had been small women with black hair. Of course, nobody could ever have such striking, big black eyes, so most of the other woman had dark blue. Maybe he was some psycho person trying to recreate her? That was almost believable, though he had been out with one blonde.

Eileen was clever - look at her parents - and she was beautiful. But... she was so very vulnerable. Especially with him, because she trusted him.

But he knew he would never hurt her in any way. They had been friends for... well, ever. Was it so bad for him to like her more, now that they were older?

No, Sirius decided it wasn't so bad. He just needed to go slowly and be gentle.

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Eileen was leaning against a counter, running her fingers through her long hair and waiting for the kettle to boil, when Sirius came into the kitchen.

"Why don't you just use magic?" He asked.

"I can't be bothered." She said, flicking her hair back over her shoulder.

Sirius shrugged, looking puzzled and handed her another cup for him. When the drinks were ready, Sirius and Eileen went into the living room and sat down on the sofa.

"I guess I just got used to doing things the muggle way." She said.

Sirius nodded, "It must have been hard for you."

Eileen shrugged, looking away, "It wasn't ideal, living as a muggle, but it wasn't terrible. I missed every one at first - a lot - but I got used to being on my own in the end."

"But you weren't on your own." He reminded her.

"I know that," She glared, then she sighed, "Sam was always 'working', just not at his office and more likely at some hotel with one of those... Sorry, I must sound really pathetic. This is all your fault; you've got me whining and now I can't stop."

"I don't mind your whining, "Sirius told her kindly, "I'm just glad you're here and not back there."

Eileen smiled and sipped her tea.

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Hermione realized that Severus really must have been tired, for when she got down to their living room in the dungeons, she found him asleep in one of the chairs.

She perched on the arm of the chair and reached over to brush some hair out of his eyes. A hand came up fast and caught her wrist as black eyes opened.

"How long have you been here?"

Hermione smiled, "Two seconds. Literally."

"How are you feeling?" he asked quietly.

"I'm fine." she reassured him, "I only hit my head, nothing serious."

Severus put his arms around her and pulled her into his lap, "It was serious for me. What scared you so much?"

"I was hallucinating. It wasn't real and it doesn't matter -"

"Hermione."

She sighed, "It was just a Death Eater..." There was a pregnant pause. He raised an eyebrow. "Or two..." Another silence. "... Or... maybe a couple more..."

He put one arm around her shoulders and drew her close, "Next time just stay out of the way."

Hermione took a deep breath, "Did they...? I mean, has any one...? Is he...?"

"He's disappeared." Severus said coldly, "Crawled away somewhere."

"Oh Merlin. You didn't hurt him that badly, did you?"

He shrugged, "If I haven't I’ll be disappointed."

"Severus!" She groaned, "Be serious! If you've half killed him, you'll be put in prison and I need you here!"

"I won't be leaving you and especially not to go to prison." Hermione could hear he smirk in his voice, even though her face was buried in his shoulder, "If I'm just one thing, I’m a Slytherin and if there's just one thing Slytherins do well, it's blackmail."